$400k of illegal tobacco seized by Geelong detectives in specialist operation

More than $400,000 of illegal tobacco has been seized and four people arrested after Geelong police swooped on multiple shops allegedly selling illicit cigarettes and vapes.

A shop on Kosciusko Ave in Corio was raided by police on Wednesday. Picture: Mark Wilson

More than $400,000 of illegal tobacco has been seized and four people arrested after Geelong police swooped on multiple shops allegedly selling illicit cigarettes and vapes.

Multiple stores were raided by detectives from the Geelong Crime Investigation Unit including on Kosciusko and Detroit avenues in Corio, Separation St in Bell Park, Peter St in Grovedale and Wilsons Rd in Whittington.

A sixth store raided on Church St in Herne Hill brands itself as specialising in American confectionary and is located near a high school and busy shopping strip.

Police said one of the stores had previously been targeted in an arson attack last year.

About 323,120 sticks of illicit tobacco were seized as part of the special operation as well as 23,968 illegal vapes, 18.6kg of loose tobacco and $13,000 in cash.

Four people were arrested in the blitz including a 50-year-old Lara woman, a 58-year-old Corio woman, a 41-year-old Tarneit man and a 19-year-old Hoppers Crossing woman.

All four are expected to be charged on summons with possessing tobacco products with intent of defrauding the revenue and dealing with property suspected to be proceeds of a crime.

They will front court at a later date.

Police said the investigation into illegal tobacco being sold in Geelong remains ongoing and detectives would be speaking to more alleged offenders in due course.

The investigation follows multiple tobacco stores across Geelong being targeted by arson attacks and ram raids amid the escalating turf war.

It’s understood crime gangs are fighting for control of the state’s illegal smoke trade which has led to almost 100 firebombings and raids across Victoria.

In April this year, a suspicious fire was lit at a Belmont tobacco shop with specialist detectives from Melbourne’s Lunar Taskforce called in to investigate the blaze.

In February this year, a Lara tobacco shop was targeted twice in one week.

Police said a car smashed into the store and a molotov cocktail was thrown inside.

Anyone with information on illicit tobacco activity should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Originally published as $400k of illegal tobacco seized by Geelong detectives in specialist operation