Cash, vapes and illegal tobacco seized in multi-agency raids across Qld and NSW

A large-scale illegal tobacco syndicate has been smashed following a series of raids by an Australian Border Force-led taskforce in Queensland and New South Wales.

A large-scale illegal tobacco syndicate has been smashed following a series of raids, executed by the Australian Border Force-led Illicit Tobacco Taskforce in Queensland and NSW.

The ABF-led joint investigation, dubbed Operation Harvest Home, began last October into a criminal network that allegedly acquired a large number of tobacco retail outlets, primarily in Queensland but spread across other states and territories, all suspected of selling illegally imported tobacco and nicotine vaping products.

Investigators during raids on an alleged illegal tobacco syndicate.

The ABF supported by the Gold Coast Joint Organised Crime Team, consisting of Australian Federal Police, Queensland Police, Queensland Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration, Victoria Police and NSW Police executed warrants at 11 properties across South East Queensland, Tweed Heads and Coffs Harbour on Tuesday. 

Illegal tobacco seized during the raids.

The ABF seized more than $1.4m in cash, 2,800,000 cigarette sticks, about 380kg of loose-leaf tobacco, suspected counterfeit empty plain packaging, and documentary and electronic evidence to support prosecution against alleged Customs Act offences across the 11 premises. 

During the searches, suspected nicotine vaping products with an estimated street value of $5.3m were seized by the Queensland Health, TGA and NSW Police.

Cash, vapes and illegal tobacco was seized in the multi-agency tobacco raids.

The cigarettes and tobacco products seized had a total combined potential excise value of more than $3.8m. 

ABF ITTF Commander Penny Spies applauded the substantial collaboration with a number of law enforcement partners to disrupt the criminal syndicate.

“This is a substantial outcome and will be a significant blow to this criminal network’s multi-layered operations,” she said.

Authorities conducted numerous raids across Qld and NSW.