Brisbane at the centre of vast alleged money laundering operation
In just 15 months, a Brisbane businessman allegedly made $9.5 million in cash and cryptocurrency. A tidy profit for the owner of a sales promotion company.
Another business owner in West End allegedly made $6.4 million over a 17-month period, supposedly from his classic car dealership.
Federal police now allege the men were part of a large, sophisticated money laundering scheme linked to a Gold Coast-based security company that used its armoured transport unit as a front for its crimes.
Seventeen properties, vehicles, crypto wallets, bank accounts and about $21 million were seized last week after more than a dozen homes and businesses in Queensland and NSW were raided.
The couple behind the Gold Coast security company and the two Brisbane men were arrested and hit with a string of charges including money laundering and handling the proceeds of crime.
'This plot was elaborate and calculated, and it demonstrates the lengths criminals will go to make money,' said Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer from the Australian Federal Police.
The arrests are the culmination of a nearly two-year investigation by Queensland Police's Joint Organised Crime Taskforce and Australian Federal Police, which began when officers traced suspicious transactions.
Investigators followed a money trail linked to the 32-year-old sales promotion business owner in the south-western suburb of Heathwood, which led them to the Gold Coast security company, which had transferred $190 million cash into cryptocurrency.
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ROSS Kerridge says he's been "called a whole lot worse" after Wagga-based Nationals MLC Wes Fang dubbed him "the gullible mayor of Newcastle" in the midst of a debate around Rising Tide's application to host the 2025 People's Blockade in the city. The Legislative Council called on the City of Newcastle to "refuse any permit applications" from the climate activist group to use council land, including Richardson Park and Foreshore Park, for its planned November event after multiple arrests and a last-minute Supreme Court ruling in 2024. On Wednesday, Mr Fang called out Cr Kerridge for his decision to grant a permit to Rising Tide to camp on Foreshore Park last year. "The Supreme Court prohibited Rising Tide from going into the harbour during the scheduled blockade," Mr Fang said. "However, the gullible mayor of Newcastle, and I suspect Lenin would call him one of the 'useful idiots', believed that Rising Ride would honour its promise and obey police directions. 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"I think it was the right decision, even at the time, I suspected it might end up the way it did, but I was hoping that it wouldn't, but I think had we done anything else, the result would have been a whole lot worse," he said. "Mr Fang is one of the more colourful characters of the Legislative Council, and let's face it, I've been called a whole lot worse." In the same debate, Labor MLC Cameron Murphy described Rising Tide as an "excellent protest group" and said anybody who cares about the environment ought to attend a protest. Liberal MLC Rachel Merton called the group "delinquents", while Greens MLC Sue Higginson praised Rising Tide as the "most honest, colourful, strategic, community-based, grassroots activists of our time". Rising Tide spokeswoman Alexa Stuart said Labor doesn't know whether to applaud them or condemn them because it is deeply divided about the transition away from coal. "Hundreds of ordinary citizens engaging in civil disobedience against coal corporations should serve as a demonstration to Premier [Chris] Minns that he is on the wrong side of history," she said. "Irrespective of NSW Labor's confusing statements, Rising Tide's event application is a matter for the Newcastle community and the Newcastle council to decide." Ms Stuart encouraged Newcastle residents to make a submission on the event application because, she said, it will be "very clear" there is overwhelming support for the protest. "Unless the government stops approving new coal projects and starts funding an urgent transition, the 2025 People's Blockade will go ahead," she said. A City of Newcastle spokesman said that in January, Cr Kerridge requested Rising Tide's event licence be determined by the elected council. "The Local Government Act does not allow staff to make a decision that is contradictory to a resolution of the council," he said. Once submissions close, councillors will consider whether to approve the event, which could include camping and activation of Richardson Park and a concert in Camp Shortland. Rising Tide's application includes the erection of temporary structures, amusement rides, live performances and amplified sound at both Camp Shortland and Richardson Park, along with the provision for camping at the Hamilton North site. The community can email their feedback to events@ until 5pm on June 30. ROSS Kerridge says he's been "called a whole lot worse" after Wagga-based Nationals MLC Wes Fang dubbed him "the gullible mayor of Newcastle" in the midst of a debate around Rising Tide's application to host the 2025 People's Blockade in the city. The Legislative Council called on the City of Newcastle to "refuse any permit applications" from the climate activist group to use council land, including Richardson Park and Foreshore Park, for its planned November event after multiple arrests and a last-minute Supreme Court ruling in 2024. On Wednesday, Mr Fang called out Cr Kerridge for his decision to grant a permit to Rising Tide to camp on Foreshore Park last year. "The Supreme Court prohibited Rising Tide from going into the harbour during the scheduled blockade," Mr Fang said. "However, the gullible mayor of Newcastle, and I suspect Lenin would call him one of the 'useful idiots', believed that Rising Ride would honour its promise and obey police directions. "I observe that the mayor was, I am being generous, deceived last year by Rising Tide. Some would suggest he was aiding and abetting." Mr Fang said the City of Newcastle should "stand firm against those lawbreakers" this year. The 2024 People's Blockade resulted in more than 170 arrests, of whom 133 have pleaded not guilty to serious disruption or obstruction of a major facility. The first four defendants will face trial at Newcastle Local Court in October. The state government attempted to block access to the harbour by imposing an exclusion zone that would have made it off-limits to the public. The Supreme Court found the notice was invalid following an urgent application from Rising Tide in November 2024; however, earlier that month, it ruled in favour of police who moved to have the planned protest deemed an unauthorised assembly. Cr Kerridge drew the ire of his fellow councillors when he used his decision-making powers to grant Rising Tide temporary use of council-owned land for the protestival. This year, Cr Kerridge said he felt it was important for the community to weigh in. "I think we have to recognise that Rising Tide is a complex organisation, and yeah, they don't have a good track record," he said. "Last year, things sort of dragged on, and the decision was made without adequate involvement of the community and then things changed very rapidly at the last minute. "I think we need to have the discussion early and be very clear, very early on, about what's going to happen." Rising Tide recently made an application to the council to use Richardson Park from November 25 to December 25, and Camp Shortland from November 28 to December 1. In response to Mr Fang's remarks about the 2024 event, Cr Kerridge said he feels he made the right decision under the circumstances at the time. "I think it was the right decision, even at the time, I suspected it might end up the way it did, but I was hoping that it wouldn't, but I think had we done anything else, the result would have been a whole lot worse," he said. "Mr Fang is one of the more colourful characters of the Legislative Council, and let's face it, I've been called a whole lot worse." In the same debate, Labor MLC Cameron Murphy described Rising Tide as an "excellent protest group" and said anybody who cares about the environment ought to attend a protest. Liberal MLC Rachel Merton called the group "delinquents", while Greens MLC Sue Higginson praised Rising Tide as the "most honest, colourful, strategic, community-based, grassroots activists of our time". Rising Tide spokeswoman Alexa Stuart said Labor doesn't know whether to applaud them or condemn them because it is deeply divided about the transition away from coal. "Hundreds of ordinary citizens engaging in civil disobedience against coal corporations should serve as a demonstration to Premier [Chris] Minns that he is on the wrong side of history," she said. "Irrespective of NSW Labor's confusing statements, Rising Tide's event application is a matter for the Newcastle community and the Newcastle council to decide." Ms Stuart encouraged Newcastle residents to make a submission on the event application because, she said, it will be "very clear" there is overwhelming support for the protest. "Unless the government stops approving new coal projects and starts funding an urgent transition, the 2025 People's Blockade will go ahead," she said. A City of Newcastle spokesman said that in January, Cr Kerridge requested Rising Tide's event licence be determined by the elected council. "The Local Government Act does not allow staff to make a decision that is contradictory to a resolution of the council," he said. Once submissions close, councillors will consider whether to approve the event, which could include camping and activation of Richardson Park and a concert in Camp Shortland. Rising Tide's application includes the erection of temporary structures, amusement rides, live performances and amplified sound at both Camp Shortland and Richardson Park, along with the provision for camping at the Hamilton North site. The community can email their feedback to events@ until 5pm on June 30. ROSS Kerridge says he's been "called a whole lot worse" after Wagga-based Nationals MLC Wes Fang dubbed him "the gullible mayor of Newcastle" in the midst of a debate around Rising Tide's application to host the 2025 People's Blockade in the city. The Legislative Council called on the City of Newcastle to "refuse any permit applications" from the climate activist group to use council land, including Richardson Park and Foreshore Park, for its planned November event after multiple arrests and a last-minute Supreme Court ruling in 2024. On Wednesday, Mr Fang called out Cr Kerridge for his decision to grant a permit to Rising Tide to camp on Foreshore Park last year. "The Supreme Court prohibited Rising Tide from going into the harbour during the scheduled blockade," Mr Fang said. "However, the gullible mayor of Newcastle, and I suspect Lenin would call him one of the 'useful idiots', believed that Rising Ride would honour its promise and obey police directions. "I observe that the mayor was, I am being generous, deceived last year by Rising Tide. Some would suggest he was aiding and abetting." Mr Fang said the City of Newcastle should "stand firm against those lawbreakers" this year. The 2024 People's Blockade resulted in more than 170 arrests, of whom 133 have pleaded not guilty to serious disruption or obstruction of a major facility. The first four defendants will face trial at Newcastle Local Court in October. The state government attempted to block access to the harbour by imposing an exclusion zone that would have made it off-limits to the public. The Supreme Court found the notice was invalid following an urgent application from Rising Tide in November 2024; however, earlier that month, it ruled in favour of police who moved to have the planned protest deemed an unauthorised assembly. Cr Kerridge drew the ire of his fellow councillors when he used his decision-making powers to grant Rising Tide temporary use of council-owned land for the protestival. This year, Cr Kerridge said he felt it was important for the community to weigh in. "I think we have to recognise that Rising Tide is a complex organisation, and yeah, they don't have a good track record," he said. "Last year, things sort of dragged on, and the decision was made without adequate involvement of the community and then things changed very rapidly at the last minute. "I think we need to have the discussion early and be very clear, very early on, about what's going to happen." Rising Tide recently made an application to the council to use Richardson Park from November 25 to December 25, and Camp Shortland from November 28 to December 1. In response to Mr Fang's remarks about the 2024 event, Cr Kerridge said he feels he made the right decision under the circumstances at the time. "I think it was the right decision, even at the time, I suspected it might end up the way it did, but I was hoping that it wouldn't, but I think had we done anything else, the result would have been a whole lot worse," he said. "Mr Fang is one of the more colourful characters of the Legislative Council, and let's face it, I've been called a whole lot worse." In the same debate, Labor MLC Cameron Murphy described Rising Tide as an "excellent protest group" and said anybody who cares about the environment ought to attend a protest. Liberal MLC Rachel Merton called the group "delinquents", while Greens MLC Sue Higginson praised Rising Tide as the "most honest, colourful, strategic, community-based, grassroots activists of our time". Rising Tide spokeswoman Alexa Stuart said Labor doesn't know whether to applaud them or condemn them because it is deeply divided about the transition away from coal. "Hundreds of ordinary citizens engaging in civil disobedience against coal corporations should serve as a demonstration to Premier [Chris] Minns that he is on the wrong side of history," she said. "Irrespective of NSW Labor's confusing statements, Rising Tide's event application is a matter for the Newcastle community and the Newcastle council to decide." Ms Stuart encouraged Newcastle residents to make a submission on the event application because, she said, it will be "very clear" there is overwhelming support for the protest. "Unless the government stops approving new coal projects and starts funding an urgent transition, the 2025 People's Blockade will go ahead," she said. A City of Newcastle spokesman said that in January, Cr Kerridge requested Rising Tide's event licence be determined by the elected council. "The Local Government Act does not allow staff to make a decision that is contradictory to a resolution of the council," he said. Once submissions close, councillors will consider whether to approve the event, which could include camping and activation of Richardson Park and a concert in Camp Shortland. Rising Tide's application includes the erection of temporary structures, amusement rides, live performances and amplified sound at both Camp Shortland and Richardson Park, along with the provision for camping at the Hamilton North site. The community can email their feedback to events@ until 5pm on June 30. ROSS Kerridge says he's been "called a whole lot worse" after Wagga-based Nationals MLC Wes Fang dubbed him "the gullible mayor of Newcastle" in the midst of a debate around Rising Tide's application to host the 2025 People's Blockade in the city. The Legislative Council called on the City of Newcastle to "refuse any permit applications" from the climate activist group to use council land, including Richardson Park and Foreshore Park, for its planned November event after multiple arrests and a last-minute Supreme Court ruling in 2024. On Wednesday, Mr Fang called out Cr Kerridge for his decision to grant a permit to Rising Tide to camp on Foreshore Park last year. "The Supreme Court prohibited Rising Tide from going into the harbour during the scheduled blockade," Mr Fang said. "However, the gullible mayor of Newcastle, and I suspect Lenin would call him one of the 'useful idiots', believed that Rising Ride would honour its promise and obey police directions. "I observe that the mayor was, I am being generous, deceived last year by Rising Tide. Some would suggest he was aiding and abetting." Mr Fang said the City of Newcastle should "stand firm against those lawbreakers" this year. The 2024 People's Blockade resulted in more than 170 arrests, of whom 133 have pleaded not guilty to serious disruption or obstruction of a major facility. The first four defendants will face trial at Newcastle Local Court in October. The state government attempted to block access to the harbour by imposing an exclusion zone that would have made it off-limits to the public. The Supreme Court found the notice was invalid following an urgent application from Rising Tide in November 2024; however, earlier that month, it ruled in favour of police who moved to have the planned protest deemed an unauthorised assembly. Cr Kerridge drew the ire of his fellow councillors when he used his decision-making powers to grant Rising Tide temporary use of council-owned land for the protestival. This year, Cr Kerridge said he felt it was important for the community to weigh in. "I think we have to recognise that Rising Tide is a complex organisation, and yeah, they don't have a good track record," he said. "Last year, things sort of dragged on, and the decision was made without adequate involvement of the community and then things changed very rapidly at the last minute. "I think we need to have the discussion early and be very clear, very early on, about what's going to happen." Rising Tide recently made an application to the council to use Richardson Park from November 25 to December 25, and Camp Shortland from November 28 to December 1. In response to Mr Fang's remarks about the 2024 event, Cr Kerridge said he feels he made the right decision under the circumstances at the time. "I think it was the right decision, even at the time, I suspected it might end up the way it did, but I was hoping that it wouldn't, but I think had we done anything else, the result would have been a whole lot worse," he said. "Mr Fang is one of the more colourful characters of the Legislative Council, and let's face it, I've been called a whole lot worse." In the same debate, Labor MLC Cameron Murphy described Rising Tide as an "excellent protest group" and said anybody who cares about the environment ought to attend a protest. Liberal MLC Rachel Merton called the group "delinquents", while Greens MLC Sue Higginson praised Rising Tide as the "most honest, colourful, strategic, community-based, grassroots activists of our time". Rising Tide spokeswoman Alexa Stuart said Labor doesn't know whether to applaud them or condemn them because it is deeply divided about the transition away from coal. "Hundreds of ordinary citizens engaging in civil disobedience against coal corporations should serve as a demonstration to Premier [Chris] Minns that he is on the wrong side of history," she said. "Irrespective of NSW Labor's confusing statements, Rising Tide's event application is a matter for the Newcastle community and the Newcastle council to decide." Ms Stuart encouraged Newcastle residents to make a submission on the event application because, she said, it will be "very clear" there is overwhelming support for the protest. "Unless the government stops approving new coal projects and starts funding an urgent transition, the 2025 People's Blockade will go ahead," she said. A City of Newcastle spokesman said that in January, Cr Kerridge requested Rising Tide's event licence be determined by the elected council. "The Local Government Act does not allow staff to make a decision that is contradictory to a resolution of the council," he said. Once submissions close, councillors will consider whether to approve the event, which could include camping and activation of Richardson Park and a concert in Camp Shortland. Rising Tide's application includes the erection of temporary structures, amusement rides, live performances and amplified sound at both Camp Shortland and Richardson Park, along with the provision for camping at the Hamilton North site. The community can email their feedback to events@ until 5pm on June 30.
