About $165,000 cash seized as police investigate alleged organised retail crime group

Police seized items while investigating an alleged organised retail crime group. Photo: ACT Policing.

An organised crime group targetting retail stores has allegedly been uncovered by police.

ACT Policing has been investigating the theft of large quantities of baby formula from supermarkets across Canberra since January 2022, a police spokesperson said.

The investigation resulted in police believing those involved were likely participating in an organised retail crime group.

On 20 and 21 September 2023, officers raided homes in Taylor, Lyneham, Throsby and Booth.

About $165,000 in cash was seized at the Throsby home, as well as high-end retail products and a large number of receipts relating to the purchase of high-end retail products – receipts that were worth about $300,000.

A 46-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman were arrested at the raid in Taylor.

Both were handed eight counts of joint commission theft, while the woman was also charged with a single count of joint commission money laundering.

They were scheduled to face the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday (22 September).

Also, a 21-year-old man was arrested during the raid in Lyneham. He will face court in October on charges of participating in a criminal group, joint commission money laundering and receiving stolen property.

“Investigations into these matters are ongoing, with further arrests and charges expected,” the police spokesperson said.