Dalby tobacco shops raided amid crackdown on ‘chop chop’, imported cigarettes and vapes

Darling Downs Health is continuing to crack down on the illegal tobacco products conducting raids across Dalby this week, seizing more than $100,000 of loose leaf, imported cigarettes and vapes.

Dalby’s tobacco shops were hit by health authorities in a series of co-ordinated raids earlier this week with more than $100,000 of allegedly illegal products seized.

Officers from Darling Downs Health conducted the raids on Monday, April 7 seizing 76,000 cigarettes, 19kg of loose tobacco, 1000 vapes, and 130 bongs, with an estimated value of $116,132.50.

As a result of the raids four premises were issued with interim closure orders.

Darling Downs Health said they were committed to further reducing the health harms associated with tobacco and vape use.

They said they would continue to take ‘decisive action’ against businesses that are persistently non-compliant with controls on supplying tobacco and vapes as set out in the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998.

Further investigations are continuing.

In Queensland, retailers supplying illegal tobacco products face up to two years in jail and/or fines of up to $322,600 for individuals, or $1.6m for corporations, with businesses potentially facing closure for up to six months.

If you suspect that tobacco or other nicotine products are being sold illegally, please report it via 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or online at https://www.health.qld.gov.au/public-health/topics/atod/smoking-laws/penalties/reporting-a-possible-breach-of-smoking-laws.