Four people have been charged following a joint investigation conducted by the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) and the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) into alleged large-scale financial crime offending across Queensland and New South Wales.

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Operation Ragamuffin, led by the CCC’s Crime Operations Division, was conducted in partnership with Strike Force Danberta, led by the NSWPF Anti-Money Laundering Unit, with assistance from the New South Wales Crime Commission (NSWCC).

It will be alleged that the four individuals, all business owners or representatives within the pork meat industry, engaged in significant trade-based financial offending across Queensland and New South Wales.

Between 2017 and 2026, it is alleged that sales records relating to approximately $10 million in transactions were deleted or not created, resulting in proceeds being excluded from business records and retained for personal use.

Investigators further allege that, during the same period, more than $30 million in cash was transported from New South Wales to Queensland, including through the concealment of substantial sums of cash in interstate freight vehicles.

Investigators also allege that the Queensland-based individuals involved in the offending fraudulently relabelled frozen meat products by altering production and best-before dates. The CCC has confirmed with food safety authorities that those practices do not raise any food safety concerns.

As a result of the investigation, the CCC has charged two Queensland-based people with a number of offences, including fraudulently destroying records, making fraudulent omissions in records, fraud, receiving tainted property and making false declarations. Both persons are scheduled to appear before the Brisbane Magistrates Court on 14 September 2026.

The NSWPF has also charged two New South Wales-based individuals with offences relating to the destruction or concealment of accounting records with intent to defraud. One of those individuals has been further charged with separate offences relating to the possession and dissemination of child abuse material, and the possession of prohibited animal abuse material.

During the operation, authorities seized more than $3 million in cash and two motor vehicles, and the total value of assets currently restrained as suspected proceeds of crime exceeds $25 million. Further asset seizures and restraint proceedings are anticipated.

CCC Acting Senior Executive Officer (Crime) Cameron Rentz said the investigation demonstrates the importance of partnerships in addressing complex and cross-border criminal activity.

“This operation reflects the CCC’s commitment to disrupting serious criminal offending that undermines the integrity of legitimate business activity and the Queensland economy. Complex financial crime is often sophisticated and deliberately concealed. The outcome of this investigation demonstrates the value of intelligence-led operations and strong cooperation between law enforcement agencies.”

NSWPF Anti-Money Laundering Unit Coordinator Detective Inspector Gilbert Laverdure said the investigation highlighted the effectiveness of cross-jurisdictional cooperation in targeting organised crime.

“Criminal networks that seek to exploit business structures and move illicit funds across state borders should expect to be identified and investigated. The NSWPF will continue to work closely with partner agencies to detect, disrupt and prosecute any serious offending.”

The NSWCC Executive Director of Operations Darren Bennett said: “This operation is a strong example of the effectiveness of inter-agency efforts targeting organised crime across borders. The NSW Crime Commission has restrained significant assets and cash and will now begin the process of returning proceeds of crime to the people of New South Wales.”

Source: Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC)