Geelong woman arrested in major VIPER Taskforce operation across Victoria

A Geelong woman has been charged over her alleged involvement in an organised crime syndicate after police swooped on tobacco stores in a major statewide operation.

Police from the VIPER Taskforce were involved in a major operation across the state on Tuesday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui.

A Geelong woman is one of eight people charged over their involvement in an alleged $30m organised crime syndicate as police swooped on tobacco stores across Victoria in a major operation.

Police allege the syndicate was leasing stores and employing staff under the guise of operating as legitimate gifts and confectionery stores while only selling illicit tobacco and related products.

Officers swooped on 27 properties at 5am on Tuesday, including homes in Lara and Grovedale and tobacco stores in Herne Hill, Bell Park and Grovedale.

A 50-year-old Grovedale woman was taken into custody and later charged with the federal offence of directing the activities of a criminal organisation.

The charge has a maximum penalty of 15 years jail.

She was also charged with possessing tobacco products with the intent of defrauding the revenue, possessing proceeds of crime and selling and distributing e-cigarettes.

The woman was bailed to front the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Four others were charged with the same offences.

Police also raided three industrial properties in Truganina and tobacco stores in Werribee, Kensington, Ararat, Kyabram and Echuca.

During their searches, officers seized a Lamborghini Coupe and Range Rover from a Hoppers Crossing address, as well as at least 600,000 illicit tobacco sticks and more than 75kg of loose-leaf tobacco.

A significant quantity of cash from the residential addresses was seized, as were utilities and vans which investigators will allege were used in the distribution of illicit tobacco.

“Investigators have obtained transactional records which reflect the syndicate earned over $30 million in a 12 month period through the sale of illicit tobacco in these stores,” a police spokeswoman said.

More than 130 members, including officers from the Geelong Crime Investigation Unit and the VIPER Taskforce, were involved in the operation.

Crime Command Assistant Commissioner Martin O’Brien said organised crime syndicates and their serious offending linked to the infiltration of the tobacco industry remain a top priority for police.

“The disruption of this syndicate today will have a substantial impact on the illicit tobacco trade,” he said.

“These were significant players who we believe were directing the activity of a criminal organisation, turning a huge profit at the expense of others.”

Originally published as Geelong woman arrested in major VIPER Taskforce operation across Victoria