An AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) investigation has resulted in the forfeiture of about $2.5 million in property and luxury assets linked to the proceeds of crime in Queensland.
The Queensland Supreme Court on 18 September 2026 made forfeiture orders covering two houses valued at approximately $880,000 each, proceeds from the sale of another property worth about $617,000, a 124-bottle wine collection valued at $92,900, and two boats and trailers.
Among the assets was a rare Riva Ferrari boat, one of only 40 manufactured worldwide, valued with its trailer at about $12,500. A Jackaroo boat and trailer were valued at approximately $7,000.
The CACT investigation began in 2016 after the Queensland Police Service alerted the Australian Federal Police following the identification of assets and seizure of the wine collection and Jackaroo boat during search warrants linked to an Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission investigation into a Queensland-based drug syndicate.
The property owners, a 44-year-old Queensland man and his 43-year-old de-facto partner, had transferred property into the names of family members and close associates before declaring bankruptcy in July 2015.
The man was convicted in April 2020 of multiple offences, including trafficking dangerous drugs under Queensland’s Drugs Misuse Act 1986. He was sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison.
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 that the transferred properties and other associated purchases were initially acquired using proceeds from the man’s criminal activity, with subsequent transfers also partly funded by those proceeds.
AFP Commander Andrea Quinn said asset forfeiture was an important tool for disrupting criminal organisations by removing their financial resources.
“By depriving criminals of their illicit profits, we prevent them from benefiting from crime and disrupt their ability to finance future offending,” Commander Quinn said.
The CACT was established in 2012 and brings together police, financial investigators, forensic accountants, litigation lawyers and specialists from partner agencies to identify and target illicit wealth.
Under the Commonwealth Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, authorities can restrain and forfeit assets connected to alleged criminal activity under a civil standard of proof, including through unexplained wealth and pecuniary penalty orders.
Confiscated assets are transferred to the Confiscated Assets Account, managed by the Australian Financial Security Authority on behalf of the Commonwealth. Funds can subsequently support crime prevention, intervention and diversion programs and other law enforcement initiatives.
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