Darwin man charged with money laundering from illicit tobacco sales

Police have charged a 33-year-old Darwin man with money laundering following a four-month investigation into the sale of illicit tobacco. Northern Territory Police and Australian Border Force executed 11 warrants across two businesses, a commercial storage facility and two residential properties. What's next? Ali Waqar will appear in the Darwin Local Court today. Police have arrested a 33-year-old Darwin man for allegedly laundering millions of dollars through an illegal tobacco business. Northern Territory Police Detective Senior Sergeant Corey Borton said Ali Waqar,who ran a local convenience store, was believed to be the "kingpin" of an operation involving the ordering and sale of illicit tobacco products. Mr Waqar has been charged with possessing unauthorised therapeutic goods, supplying vaping goods and money laundering, following a four-month investigation by Northern Territory Police and Australian Border Force. A 37-year-old Palmerston man was also arrested yesterday, but has since been released without charge. "As far as this operation is concerned, [Mr Waqar] is our primary target," Detective Senior Sergeant Borton said at a press conference. The two agencies yesterday executed 11 warrants across two business premises in the Darwin CBD, a commercial storage facility and two residential properties, seizing more than 5,500 vapes, 16,500 nicotine products and $73,600 in cash. They also seized digital devices, business records, a private house, two cars, five bank accounts containing $150,000 and the shares of eight business entities. NT Police allege over the past two years the businesses associated with the investigation generated about $12.1 million in sales — $9.36 million of which came from the sale of illicit tobacco and vaping products. "Our message to financially motivated criminals is simple, if you make money from crime expect us to come after that money," Detective Senior Sergeant Borton said. "You can move it through bank accounts, you can purchase property, buy cars, but we're still coming after you. "Nothing you do with that money is beyond our reach." In a statement about the bust, a police spokesperson said detectives had analysed transaction data, undertaken banking inquiries and examined corporate and financial structures associated with the business. Detective Senior Sergeant Borton said the investigation was ongoing and did not rule out further arrests. [Image text:] 12:2.13.1 CATM