Thousands of illegal cigarettes, vapes, chopped tobacco seized in northern suburbs probe

A woman has been arrested over the illegal sale of vapes and tobacco products in Adelaide’s north, with police warning investigations will likely result in further action.

Police have pounced on two northern suburbs businesses uncovering illicit vapes, chopped tobacco and thousands of cigarettes.

On Monday, Northern District officers visited businesses at Smithfield and Elizabeth North to conduct searches under the Tobacco Act.

At the Smithfield premises, 220 kgs of cut and unpackaged tobacco, 55,000 imported and illicit cigarettes and 1300 nicotine vapes were seized.

Searches at Elizabeth North allegedly found a number of resealable unmarked bags containing chopped tobacco, more than 5000 imported and illicit cigarettes and over a hundred nicotine vapes.

Police have seized a large quantity of illicit tobacco products from two northern suburbs businesses. Picture: SAPOL

Vapes, cigarettes and chopped tobacco were among the goods uncovered. Picture: SAPOL

A 53-year-old woman from Elizabeth North, present at the business, was issued with an expiation notice for selling tobacco without a licence and selling tobacco with non-compliant packaging.

Police investigations are continuing and further action is expected.

South Australians with information on the illegal importation and sale of tobacco are asked to contact Crime Stoppers.