More than $6 million has been seized from alleged criminal syndicates by federal police in a first for Special Operation Ironside.

The court victory sets down a precedent for the more than $31 million of Proceeds of Crime Act restraining orders obtained by the AFP.

AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw told Ray Hadley the confiscated assets unit has been “a really good initiative”.

“Not only will we take your liberty away, and make sure that you spend time in prison, but we will also take all the ill-gotten gains from you over the years.

“Your criminal wealth … goes back into our system, where our Ministers are actually allowed to endorse projects for the community.”

While criminals often try to hide their assets with family members, the AFP are “staying a step ahead”.

“It’s getting harder and harder for them to do that, even with cryptocurrency, Ray.”

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Image: Australian Federal Police