Australia-China syndicate busted for stealing over A$1 million of baby milk formula, Manuka honey and vitamins
- The goods, which were stolen from major retailers across Sydney, were sent to China
- Six people have been charged so far, with police expecting to make more arrests
Six people have been charged after authorities in Australia uncovered a multimillion-dollar crime syndicate stealing baby milk formula and vitamins from major retailers across Sydney for shipment to China.
Four members of one family and two other men have been arrested and charged over the “organised criminal group” that New South Wales Police believe has operated for several years. The latest arrest was of a 31-year-old man on Saturday after he arrived at Sydney Airport on a flight from China.
“We’re thinking this is quite an expansive criminal group that was exploiting an overseas market at the disadvantage of the Australian public,” said NSW Police Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty.
Doherty said investigators were still probing where the products were being sold, but alleged that so far, “thousands of shipments of baby formula were sent to China”.
The investigation started in February last year after police received reports of thefts from Sydney retailers.
Police said they searched two Sydney homes in August and seized 4,000 tins of baby milk formula, “large quantities” of vitamins, Manuka honey and more than A$215,000 (US$154,000) in cash.