Cairns illicit tobacco shop raided and shut down under tough new laws
Health authorities have raided illicit tobacco stores around Cairns, but industry insiders have warned the crackdown may bring violent repercussions against legal traders.
Authorities have raided an alleged illicit tobacco shop in Cairns and shut it for 90 days under tough new legislation targeting the underground trade.
Queensland Health officials supported by the Brisbane Major Organised Crime Squad raided an alleged illicit tobacco outlet on Grafton St in the Cairns CBD on Monday.
Under the amended legislation, the store would be closed with immediate effect for 90 days.
A legal North Queensland tobacco trader, who wished to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, said it was unlikely the new legislation would stop the illicit trade.
“What they’re doing is closing (the stores) and within two days moving right next door or a block away they’re trading after 5pm,” the source said.
“When they’re closed they’re losing thousands of dollars a day.”
Under the government’s amended legislation, Queensland Health can shut down illegal businesses for three months (up from three days) without having to go through lengthy court processes.
No charges have yet been laid.
Queensland Health can now seize all lawful smoking products found at illegal stores that are ‘tainted’ by being supplied or stored alongside illicit tobacco and vapes, including confectionary, food and other goods.
This includes nitrous oxide bulbs and canisters, known as ‘nangs’.
Queensland Health officers can also conduct undercover operations at illicit tobacco and vape stores.
Landlords have new powers to terminate leases when they are notified their tenant is an illegal operator.
It is now a criminal offence for commercial landlords to knowingly permit illegal tobacco or activity, with a maximum penalty of a $166,900 fine and 12 months in jail.
A Queensland Health spokesman said the department was committed to dismantling the supply of illegal vaping and tobacco products.
“Our zero-tolerance approach, backed by nation-leading penalties, has been incredibly effective at stopping the sale of millions of illegal tobacco and vaping products in Queensland,” the spokesman said.
“The new laws, which took effect last week, empower our officers to operate undercover in illicit tobacco and vape stores, shut down rogue retailers for up to three months, and seize lawful smoking products tainted by being next to black market tobacco and vapes.
“Armed with these expanded powers, our public health units, in conjunction with other state and Federal agencies, have ramped up their enforcement activities to keep Queenslanders safe from illegal smoking products.”
There is no suggestion this occurred here, and there is no suggestion of wrongdoing by the landlord.
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Originally published as Cairns illicit tobacco shop raided and shut down under tough new laws
