<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>More than $7 million in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/crime" rel="" target="_blank" title="illegal tobacco"><span>illegal tobacco</span></a><span>, luxury watches and cash have been seized in Melbourne after several investigations into an alleged money laundering ring and organised crime group.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police seized over $1.9 million worth of illegal tobacco during search warrants in two properties in Dallas and Epping, </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="_blank" title="Victoria"><span>Victoria</span></a><span>, yesterday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The haul included more than 475,400 cigarettes, 624 kgs of loose-leaf tobacco, $80,000 in cash, six high-end watches worth $119,000.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-nsw-rain-flood-risk-forecast-warnings-updates/01a8b26d-c110-46a6-8f1e-dcec52c7bd7e" target="_blank"><strong><span>Millions facing days of flood risk as torrential rain eases</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The watches included a Breitling, Franck Mueller and four Rolex.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A 40-year-old man was arrested during the search is expected to be charged on summons with possession of a commercial amount of illegal tobacco and knowingly dealing with proceeds of a crime.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Victoria Police first launched an investigation in January after learning that an organised crime syndicate was allegedly conducting cash drops and collections at a food business in Somerton.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/melbourne-millions-in-illegal-tobacco-cash-and-luxury-watches-seized-after-police-bust-alleged-syndicate/2c3a902f-9981-4a11-980a-bd309f6c25be" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Detectives allege they were laundering money that was obtained through the sale of illegal tobacco products, and further alleged the owner of the business received a commission on each transaction.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bassam-hamzy-prison-attack-goulburn-brothers-for-life/34267c3b-3b67-4238-b132-e55efbe26d35" target="_blank"><strong><span>CCTV shows violent attack on one of NSW's most notorious prisoners</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police also figured out that other transactions were taking place at a factory in Epping.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police believe more than $83 million has been laundered since May 2021. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In a separate investigation, investigators intercepted a truck in Laverton North yesterday, which contained over 4 million cigarettes worth an estimated $5 million.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police allege a 34-year-old Campbellfield man was driving the truck.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A search of his property allegedly uncovered $100,000 cash.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/why-is-it-so-wet-in-nsw-dry-melbourne-extreme-weather-explained/5584f062-b265-467f-9bac-9b3b943e26d3" target="_blank"><strong><span>Great for Melbourne, bad for Sydney: The factors causing August's strange weather</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Officers identified that the man had been at the business in Somerton that was allegedly linked to the money laundering operation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They allege he has links to the organised crime syndicate involved in that investigation. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He was charged on summons with possession of a commercial quantity of illicit tobacco and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Both investigations are ongoing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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