3.4 million cigarettes, vapes seized in Qld’s biggest raid

Health authorities have seized more than $9m in cigarettes and almost 20,000 vapes in the largest single raid under state government’s war on illegal tobacco trade. SEE THE VIDEO

Health authorities have seized more than $9m in cigarettes and almost 20,000 vapes in a major crack down on illicit products being sold in Mackay, in the largest single raid under state government’s war on illegal tobacco trade.
The staggering haul, taken from an illegal warehouse in the region last week came after a tip off in the Bundaberg region which was relayed to Mackay Public Health Unit.
As a result 3,383,300 illegal cigarettes, 290kg of chop chop (loose tobacco) and 19,818 vapes were seized – which can be compared to the 1.9m cigarettes, 223 kgs of chop chop, and 26,581 vapes seized across the entire state in May.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the Mackay raid was the largest single raid on a single premises with the 3.3m cigarettes equating to 165,000 packets with a retail value of $9m.

It also followed the Queensland Health led Operation Appaloosa, which ran across more than 30 locations and netted the nation’s largest ever haul of illicit vape and tobacco products by a health authority.

The Mackay Public Health Unit confiscated approximately 3.3 million cigarettes, 300kgs of loose tobacco and 20,000 vapes from an illegal warehouse in Mackay last week.

“We have the nation’s leading and toughest laws when it comes to illegal tobacco and illegal vapes, we have the highest fines,” Mr Nicholls said.

The Crisafulli Government this year introduced on-the-spot fines of $161,300 for businesses and $32,260 for individuals caught selling and stocking illicit tobacco and vapes.

Police teamed up with the Mackay Public Health Unit in executing a warrant for the raid.

Investigations into the activities of the alleged offender have begun and processes are underway to have the seized materials forfeited to the State as the Mackay Public Health Unit looks to issue fines.

Investigations into the activities of the alleged offender have begun.

“Here’s a warning to all those illegal and rogue traders, make no mistake, we are coming after you,” Mr Nicholls said.

“We want to stamp out this illicit trade and we want to make sure these illicit products are not sold to our kids.”

Mackay MP Nigel Dalton said 20,000 vapes in the Mackay region “would be a disaster”, as he recalled multiple parents asking him how to address the issue during his time as a crime prevention officer with QPS.

Mackay MP Nigel Dalton and Health Minister Tim Nicholls speaking about a raid in Mackay that seized 3.3m cigarettes, and almost 20,000 vapes in the largest ever single seizure at a single premises in the state.

He said “the poisons within these vapes are just unknown” with children as young as 12 and 13 using the items.

“We don’t want the rogue traders coming in – they are bringing in products which are not safe and they are going to our children in schools,” Mr Dalton said.

“We needed to get rid this illegal trade, this criminal trade which is springing up all over Mackay.”

Mackay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Susan Gannon said this illegal trade would not be tolerated.

“Our public health officers, in conjunction with other agencies, will continue to be vigilant to ensure retailers of smoking products comply with the law,” she said, adding that investigations into other illegal operators in the Greater Whitsunday region were ongoing.