Salisbury illicit tobacco ‘statewide distribution centre’ busted open after Whyalla truck search

Police say they’ve busted open a statewide “distribution centre” of illicit tobacco in SA, after a random truck stop led them to millions of cigarettes in a shed.

Police have raided a storage unit they say is at the centre of illicit tobacco distribution in SA, with seven million cigarettes and nearly four tonnes of loose-leaf tobacco seized.

Two men have been arrested and charged over the raid, which came after a truck was stopped and searched in Whyalla, leading police to the shed at Salisbury.

Operation Eclipse Commander, Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby, on Monday said police had now seized more than $25m worth of vapes, cigarettes and tobacco in the war against illicit trade.

Last Tuesday, police uncovered a large quantity of illegal tobacco and vape products during a random truck stop in Whyalla, which led detectives to search an “industrial premises” in Salisbury.

That premises, Insp Featherby said, was being used as a “statewide distribution centre” that had been supplying the illegal products to retail outlets.

Boxes of illicit product found in a warehouse in Salisbury. Picture: SAPOL

Police said they found loose tobacco wrapped up in multiple freezers. Picture: SAPOL

From that facility, police seized seven million cigarettes as well as 3.9 tonnes of loose tobacco wrapped and stored in freezers.

Footage of the warehouse shows dozens of boxes lined up, with twelve chest freezers also found in the shed.

Following the discovery, a 24-year-old Prospect man was arrested in Whyalla and charged with possession of tobacco products for sale and possession of e-cigarette products for sale.

He was bailed to appear in the Whyalla Magistrates Court in July.

Police also searched a Para Hills home as part of the investigation and arrested a 51-year-old man from the address.

He was charged with possession of tobacco products for sale and bailed to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court in June.

More than 500 raids of properties have now been raided since July, with the most recent seizure bringing the total of illicit cigarettes found to nearly 25 million.

Thirty-five stores have been closed, two of them six-month closures.

Since the start of Operation Eclipse, which looks to crack down on crime syndicates bringing the illicit products into South Australia, police have seized $25.3m worth of illicit tobacco and vape products, as well as freezing orders on $9m in two bank accounts.

7 million cigarettes were found in the warehouse. Picture: SAPOL

Operation Eclipse Commander, Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby, speaking to the media at Police Headquarters. Picture: Dean Martin

They have also confiscated $22.8m in criminal assets, which are alleged to be proceeds or instruments of crime, including real estate, cash and silver bullion.

Detective Featherby said 186 premises had been searched, and more than 400 calls from the public had helped detectives crack down on crime groups.

“We’re still after the locations where illicit tobacco is being stored, and in particular, information relating to anybody who may be helping facilitate the behaviour and criminal activity that’s occurring in the illicit tobacco market in South Australia,” Detective Featherby said.

“If you do have information, I ask that you contact police through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

“It’s clear to us that we have a full understanding of how these syndicates are operating, and we will continue to pursue those that are driving the market.

“For those that are purchasing the illicit tobacco, they need to understand that what they are doing is supporting illicit trade within the state.

“At the same time, they need to understand that we’re here to suppress the acts of violence that come with that illicit trade, and I’ll ask that they chose alternate options when they purchase cigarettes.”