Bundy Tobacconist raided by Wide Bay Public Health Unit, Queensland Police Service

Police and health officials have seized a number of items sold by a popular tobacco shop in Bundaberg’s CBD.

A tobacco shop on Woongarra Street in Bundaberg’s CBD has been raided as part of an ongoing operation involving Queensland Health, the Australian Taxation Office and Queensland Police.

It comes amid a NewsMail investigation into the alleged sale of illegal products at the shop which opened last year.

A source contacted the NewsMail last month with information on the shop and showed reporters photos of alleged illegal items purchased from it.

The NewsMail understands officers were seen carrying dozens of large boxes out of the shop during the raid.

Items bought by a source who says they were allegedly being sold at an alleged illegal tobacco shop in Bundaberg.

A Queensland Health spokesperson said illegal tobacco trading was a tax and public health offence and it would continue to work with the responsible Federal Government agencies to prevent it.

“We recently collaborated with the Queensland Police Service and the Australian Taxation Office to target unlawful cultivation and sale of illegal tobacco as part of Operation Romeo Serge. That operation was the culmination of a two-year investigation,” the spokesperson said.

“We continue to work closely with key stakeholders, including retail groups and our partner agencies, as part of Australia’s interagency tobacco control response.”

The ATO said it was unable to comment.

The store was closed on Wednesday morning until about noon, but was back open by early afternoon and continues to trade.

If you suspect that illicit tobacco is grown, manufactured or sold you can report it anonymously to the ATO.