Alleged pork plotters linked to $10 million smuggling scheme

Four people have been charged with financial crimes including fraud after meat freight trucks were allegedly used to transport millions of dollars between Queensland and NSW over a nine-year period.

Police say the accused were all business owners or representatives within the pork industry, and allege they deleted or purposely did not create records for sales amounting to about $10 million between 2017 and 2026.

It is alleged the money was retained for personal use and not included in business records.

Investigators further allege that during the nearly 10-year period, more than $30 million was transported from NSW to Queensland, with substantial amounts of cash concealed in freight vehicles.

Two individuals from Queensland are also accused of incorrectly relabelling frozen meat products to reflect new production and best-before dates. According to investigators, this has not raised food safety concerns.

The investigation – dubbed “Operation Ragamuffin” – was led by Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission and the New South Wales Police Force’s Anti-Money Laundering Unit.

More than $3 million in cash and two vehicles were seized during the operation. Police say the total value of assets currently held as suspected proceeds of crime exceeded $25 million.

The CCC has charged two people from Queensland with fraudulently destroying records, making fraudulent omissions, fraud, receiving tainted property and making false declarations.

NSW police have charged two people from that state with destroying or concealing accounting records with intent to defraud.

One person will face additional charges relating to the possession and dissemination of child abuse material, and the possession of animal abuse material.

CCC acting senior executive officer (crime) Cameron Rentz said the commission was committed to disrupting serious criminal offending that undermined the integrity of legitimate business activity.

“Complex financial crime is often sophisticated and deliberately concealed.

“The outcome of this investigation demonstrates the value of intelligence-led operations and strong co-operation between law-enforcement agencies.”

NSWPF anti-money laundering unit co-ordinator Detective Inspector Gilbert Laverdure said cross-border criminal networks should expect to be identified and investigated.