Two criminal networks with insider access at freight forwarders and warehouses were disrupted in Australia after raids across three states uncovered at least $80 million in vapes and illicit tobacco.

Kok Loon Chan, 46, was arrested at Sydney Airport for participating in a criminal group and counts of deception and dealing with proceeds of crime, with a court appearance set for mid-October.

Authorities also seized luxury assets and cash including about $2.5 million in watches and handbags, $300,000 in gold bullion, two firearms, 350,000 cigarettes, $172,000 in cash, and a BMW X5.

Seven trusted insiders allegedly exploited their positions to monitor air and sea consignments and breach secure facilities to move goods for profit.

Early morning raids on seven Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane homes led to the seizure of approximately $33 million worth of the drug 1-4 Butanediol, linked to date rape and sexual assault cases.

More than 282,000 vapes valued around $21 million were seized, with investigations that began in May of the previous year.

The second crew’s alleged ringleader, a 26-year-old, was arrested in Prestons, Sydney, with raids uncovering 51 boxes of illicit tobacco, steroids, and $690,000 in cash.

NSW Crime Commission seized over $25 million in assets tied to logistics companies connected to the syndicate after raids on 14 properties across NSW and Victoria; Australian Border Force suspended depot licenses for Sydney and Brisbane operators involved.

Two men, aged 53, were charged with directing a criminal group and related financial crimes; one faces October court on an unauthorised pistol charge, with the other awaiting bail decisions in early October.

Police emphasize that the two networks’ known commodities total about $80 million and stress the ongoing need to curb insider access at border points to prevent illicit trade.

A separate insider group allegedly bypassed border controls via a Moorebank freight forwarding company, handling 88 illicit tobacco consignments in three months before distribution to wholesalers and retailers.