Third major illicit tobacco bust as authorities hit Braidwood farm

Authorities have pounced on a two-hectare crop of illegal tobacco - the third in a string of NSW busts - which will cut a cash pipeline to organised criminal networks.

The Illicit Tobacco Taskforce (ITTF) seized the two-hectare crop along with a tobacco shredding machine at Braidwood. Picture: Supplied

More than 26,000 kilograms of illegal tobacco has been destroyed after enforcement authorities raided a rural NSW property - potentially cutting a cash lifeline to organised crime networks.

The Illicit Tobacco Taskforce (ITTF) seized the two-hectare crop at Braidwood, which would have attracted more than $4.4 million in government excise.

A tobacco shredding machine was also found and confiscated.

The Braidwood bust follows illicit tobacco seizures at Murga and Binnaway, where the combined green weight at the properties was more than 240,000kg of illicit tobacco.

Operation Junglevine2 is a joint operation involving the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Australian Border Force (ABF) and NSW Police.

The two-hectare crop of illicit tobacco at Braidwood. Picture: Supplied

“Activities under Operation Junglevine2 have so far destroyed illicit tobacco with a combined potential excise value of more than $44 million,” ATO assistant commissioner Jade Hawkins said.

“This puts a significant dent in the illicit tobacco profits that organised criminals use to fund their criminal behaviour and other nefarious activities.”

Border Force Commander Penelope Spies said this third seizure demonstrates the taskforce’s commitment to eliminate illegal tobacco.

“The ABF and our partner law enforcement agencies have highly skilled officers with access to specialised technology focused on disrupting this criminal activity both within Australia and at its border,” Ms Spies said.

Health Minister Mark Butler: “We know that a higher price cigarette is a more unattractive cigarette.” Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“The continued destruction of crops illustrates our message; we will disrupt and dismantle the illicit tobacco market.”

The federal government has announced it will increase the tobacco excise by five per cent for each of the next three years from September 1.

Describing the approach as “knocking out the market”, Health Minister Mark Butler said the government was determined not to see the price of cigarettes become more enticing against a backdrop of high inflation.

“The excise stopped increasing in about 2020 and since that time, excise increases have actually started to lag inflation, particularly last year,” he said.

“We know that a higher price cigarette is a more unattractive cigarette.”

Mr Butler said state and territory health ministers had made a “unanimous” commitment to work together on vaping and tobacco control.