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Australian police have made a number of arrests in connection with the coordinated theft of over A$1m worth of infant formula (€630,000).
It is believed the criminal gang involved had been operating for a number of years.
The infant formula was stolen from across the Sydney area to be sold on at a higher price in the Chinese market. According to reports in Australian media, baby formula bought for about A$30 (€19) in Australia can be resold for approximately A$100 (€63) in China.
A 31-year-old man was arrested by detectives on arrival at Sydney off a flight from China on Saturday.
Proceeds of crime
Following a search of his luggage, he was charged with the offences of recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime and participating with a criminal group contributing to criminal activity.
It is the fifth arrest in the case which first came to the attention of police in the province of New South Wales in February 2018.
In August 2018, investigators searched two homes and seized 4,000 tins of baby formula, large quantities of vitamins, and manuka honey; all of which are alleged to be stolen. Officers also seized more than $215,000 (€135,300) cash from one of the properties, which is alleged to be the proceeds of crime.
Assisting crime
During the investigation, detectives arrested a 48-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man.
A 53-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were also arrested on 19 December 2018 and 4 January 2019 respectively.
The man was charged with knowingly participating in a criminal group assisting crime, and recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime. The woman was charged with participating with a criminal group contributing to criminal activity, and recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
A spokesperson for the New South Wales Police said: “Police will continue to pursue those who seek to make a quick buck at the disadvantage of others and will always strive to stamp out unscrupulous activity.”
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