Media Release
$2.5 million in property confiscated from drug trafficker
Editor’s note: Images of the wine collection and Riva Ferrari boat available via Hightail.
An AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) investigation has resulted in the confiscation of $2.5 million in property purchased with the proceeds of crime.
Today (18 September, 2026), the CACT obtained forfeiture orders in the Supreme Court of Queensland over:
- Two houses (each valued about $880,000);
- Sale proceeds of another house (about $617,000);
- 124-bottle wine collection (valued about $92,900);
- Jackaroo boat and trailer (jointly valued about $7000); and
- A Riva Ferrari boat - one of only 40 ever manufactured worldwide - and trailer (jointly valued about $12,500).
The CACT investigation began in 2016 after the Queensland Police Service (QPS) alerted the AFP following identification of assets and the seizure of the wine collection and Jackaroo boat and trailer during search warrants conducted as part of an Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) joint investigation into a Queensland-based drug syndicate.
The property owners, a Queensland man, 44, and his de-facto partner, 43, transferred property into the names of family members and close associates, then declared bankruptcy in July 2015.
In April, 2020, the Queensland man was convicted as part of the joint QPS-ACIC investigation for various offences, including trafficking in dangerous drugs, contrary to the Drugs Misuse Act 1986 (Qld). He was sentenced to 17 years and six months’ imprisonment.
In June, 2020, the CACT obtained orders in the Queensland Supreme Court, restraining the houses and the Riva Ferrari boat and trailer.
The CACT alleged in court the transferred property, and other associated purchases, were initially bought with, and had subsequent transfers funded in part by, the proceeds of the man’s criminal activity.
AFP Commander Andrea Quinn said efforts to target proceeds of crime through asset forfeiture were an effective way to cripple the financial base of criminal groups and disrupt attempts to finance more criminal ventures.
“The Proceeds of Crime Act provides law enforcement with important powers to identify, restrain and forfeit assets connected to alleged criminal activity,” Commander Quinn said.
“By depriving criminals of their illicit profits, we prevent them from benefiting from crime and disrupt their ability to finance future offending.
“That is why the AFP works closely with its partners in the Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce to target illicit wealth and ensure confiscated funds are redirected for the benefit of the Australian community."
The CACT, established in 2012 with highly skilled members located Australia-wide, comprises police, financial investigators, forensic accountants, litigation lawyers and partner agency specialists.
The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth) allows the CACT to restrain and forfeit proceeds of crime based on a civil standard of proof, as well as obtain pecuniary penalty and unexplained wealth orders, regardless of whether there is a related criminal prosecution or investigation. Confiscated assets are placed in the Confiscated Assets Account, which is managed by the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) on behalf of the Commonwealth.
The funds are used to benefit the community through crime prevention, intervention or diversion programs, or other law enforcement initiatives. The Department of Home Affairs supports the Minister in managing programs of expenditure from the Confiscated Assets Account.
