THE PRACTITIONER’S COMPANION
Wednesday 27 August 2025

Proceeds of crime apartment under hammer for $9.25 million

Sub-penthouse in swanky Sydney precinct confiscated as part of long-running investigation into excise fraud involving the import of alcohol.

1 min read
Confiscated apartment

A luxury apartment in Sydney’s swanky Rocks precinct goes under the hammer for $9.25 next week after being seized under proceeds of crime legislation.

The sub-penthouse in Harrington Street was forfeited as part of Operation Cabestro – a long-running investigation into excise fraud involving the import of alcohol.

It comes just a few months after the $15 million penthouse in the same block was also sold on behalf of the government.

After that sale, AFP Detective Superintendent Scott Raven said: “Money remains the lifeblood of organised crime, and disrupting the flow of ill-gotten finances helps prevent further harm to the community by cutting off revenue and motivation.”

The 241 square metre, four-bed property up for auction next week last sold in 2019 for $14 million.

Number 702/85 Harrington Street has a 124 sqm balcony with views over the Harbour Bridge and Optra House, according to its description on the Realestate.com platform.

Real estate agent Daniel Baran said: “The penthouse sale confirmed strong buyer appetite at the top end, particularly for well-located, high-calibre stock with real scarcity value. We expect 702 to follow suit.”

Under Australia’s proceeds of crime framework, assets seized during criminal investigations are sold with profits redirected into crime prevention and community initiatives.

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