A 26-year-old Baldivis man has been charged after AFP officers allegedly seized $2.6 million in cash along with illegal tobacco and vaping products across Perth.
Hafez Kanjou is accused of coordinating the trafficking of illegal tobacco products from the eastern states before selling them at three tobacco stores in Perth and then sending the profits back to an organised crime group over east.
On March 27, AFP officers conducted search warrants at the man's Baldivis home, a courier company in Perth’s southern suburbs, and various storage facilities across Perth.
At the courier company, about $900,000 cash was allegedly concealed in packaged microwave ovens waiting to be shipped to Melbourne.
The AFP also seized about 645,000 cigarettes, 19,000 vapes, and 200 pouches of loose-leaf tobacco at the other locations.
Kanjou has been charged with one count of dealing with money or property, believed to be the proceeds of crime and at the time of the dealing the value of the money or property was $100,000 or more and one count of possession of tobacco being an excisable good where excise duty is payable on the tobacco and the weight is 100kg or more.
AFP Inspector Chris Colley said the AFP would continue to target organised crime groups that attempted to profit from the sale of illegal tobacco products in the community.
“The AFP is dedicated to protecting the Australian community from serious organised crime syndicates by disrupting and dismantling these illegal operations,” Insp Colley said.
“These criminals have no regard for the significant health issues these products present for the community and the burden they place on our health systems.
“Criminal networks also use the profits from the sale of illicit tobacco products to support other serious criminal activities.
“The message to these criminals is simple, the AFP won’t stop until it has shut down your illegal and harmful activities.”
Investigations are ongoing.
Kanjou appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court on Friday, March 28 where he was granted bail.
He will reappear in court on May 9.
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