Homes, luxury car and $4.4million seized by police from man accused of importing cocaine by post

A man accused of importing cocaine through Australia Post has had two homes, a Mercedes-Benz and six bank accounts, worth an estimated $4.4million, seized.

The 41-year-old, who allegedly brought in 2.1kg of cocaine last year, was arrested and charged with the unlawful importation of a border controlled drug in June 2021. 

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) seized his assets, including a house in Sydney’s Connells Point and another property in Queensland, after court orders were made last Thursday.

Stephen Fry, AFP’s Commander Criminal Assets Confiscation, said police are determined to stop criminals benefitting from their crimes.

‘The AFP is relentless in pursuing every legal avenue to deprive criminals of their ill-gotten wealth, taking the profit out of their crimes and disrupting future criminal operations,’ he said.

Commander Fry warned criminals the AFP will track down and seize their proceeds of crime.

‘No person or criminal group is beyond the reach of the taskforce,’ he said. ‘The lavish criminal lifestyle is short-lived.

‘We will take away the proceeds of your crimes, including your million-dollar properties, luxury vehicles and funds in any bank accounts.’

The man was arrested under Operation Ironside, an operation using the encrypted AN0M app which was covertly distributed to organised crime gangs while secretly being under surveillance by police.

The money raised through the sale of assets seized by police is managed by the Australian Financial Security Authority.

It is then distributed by the Attorney-general for use in crime prevention or other police programs.