Police seize $48m of illegal tobacco in Logan and south Brisbane

A two-year police operation, Romeo Serge, has led to six arrests and the seizure of more than four tonnes of tobacco, with more arrests to come.

Police have seized $48 million worth of illegal tobacco across Logan and Brisbane’s southside in the culmination of two-year operation, Romeo Serge, with the promise of more arrests to come.

As part of the operation, detectives from the Logan District Criminal Investigation Branch, together with officers from the Australian Taxation Office and Queensland Health, executed 12 search warrants at addresses in Beenleigh, Springwood, Slacks Creek, Rochedale South, Logan Central, Marsden, Waterford and Heritage Park on Tuesday.

It will be alleged that officers uncovered 4.5 tonnes of tobacco, $900,000 in cash, 114,732 packets of cigarettes and 150,000 vapes containing nicotine with five people taken into custody and more arrests expected.

ATO Assistant Commissioner Criminal Law Program Ian Read with A/ Assistant District Officer Todd Reid. Picture: Alex Treacy

Based on the above seizure, it is estimated $10.42 million dollars in excise had been avoided and the seized tobacco has a street value of 24 million dollars.

Yesterday’s raids follow two further search warrants officers executed on Thursday, May 13, at a Kuraby business and Logan Reserve residential address where they allegedly located approximately 1.5 tonnes of loose-leaf tobacco, 110 thousand packets of imported cigarettes, 100 thousand vapes containing nicotine.

A still from a video released by Queensland Police from Operation Romeo Serge targeting the sale of illegal tobacco in Logan and Brisbane southside. Picture: Supplied

It will be alleged that the seizures from these two addresses alone are valued in excess of $6 million and overall, the amount of tobacco located is estimated to have a street value worth more than $24 million dollars.

The six men charged as part of Operation Romeo Serge are:

- A 54-year-old Springwood man has been charged with possessing dangerous drugs, possession of tobacco > 100kg and dealing with money suspected of being proceeds.

- A 55-year-old Rochedale South man has been charged with possession of tobacco >100kg, importation of tobacco with intent to defraud and dealing with money suspected of being proceeds.

A still from a video released by Queensland Police from Operation Romeo Serge targeting the sale of illegal tobacco in Logan and Brisbane southside. Picture: Supplied

- A 36-year-old Park Ridge South man has been charged with supplying tobacco in non-compliant packaging and possession of a regulated poison.

- A 32-year-old North Lakes man has been charged with supplying tobacco in non-compliant packaging and possession of a regulated poison.

- A 32-year-old Heritage Park man has been charged with possession of a regulated poison and possession of tobacco >100kg.

- A 57-year-old Kuraby man was arrested at the Kuraby address and was charged with possession of tobacco >500kg, possession of tobacco >100kg, importation of tobacco with intent to defraud and unlawful possession of a weapon

The men will appear in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on various dates between June 29 – July 28.