Police seize cash, vapes and over 80,000 cigarettes from tobacco stores in Newcomb, Corio

Police raided a pair of Geelong tobacco stores on Thursday, seizing cash, vapes and over 80,000 illegal cigarettes.

VIPER Taskforce detectives executed search warrants at a pair of Geelong tobacco shops. Picture: Victoria Police

Cash, vapes and over 80,000 illegal cigarettes have been seized from a pair of Geelong tobacconists as police continue a statewide investigation into an international organised crime syndicate.

Detectives from the VIPER Taskforce executed search warrants at two tobacco stores in Newcomb and Corio on Thursday, as well as a residential address in the Melbourne suburb of Roxburgh Park.

Over 12,000 illicit cigarettes, over 100 vapes and a quantity of cash were seized from the Newcomb store, while at least 68,000 illicit cigarettes and a quantity of cash were seized from the Corio business.

A 41-year-old Tarneit man who was at the Newcomb store was arrested and charged with the supporting a criminal organisation and illicit tobacco offences.

He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 28 October.

It follows Police activity on Tuesday which saw officers swoop on 27 properties at 5am, including homes in Lara and Grovedale and tobacco stores in Herne Hill, Bell Park and Grovedale.

A 50-year-old Grovedale woman was taken into custody and later charged with the federal offence of directing the activities of a criminal organisation.

The charge has a maximum penalty of 15 years jail.

She was also charged with possessing tobacco products with the intent of defrauding the revenue, possessing proceeds of crime and selling and distributing e-cigarettes.

Four others were charged with the same offences.

The woman was bailed to front the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

According to a Victoria Police spokeswoman “it will be alleged the syndicate was leasing stores, employing staff as supervisors, store managers and couriers and commencing deliveries under the guise of operating the stores as legitimate gifts and confectionary stores, while selling only illicit tobacco and related products.”

“Investigators have obtained transactional records which reflect the syndicate earned over $30M in a 12-month period through the sale of illicit tobacco in these stores,” she said.

“Victoria Police has identified a number of state, national and global organised crime syndicates involved in the illicit tobacco conflict.”

“These syndicates are comprised of personnel from Middle Eastern organised crime groups and outlaw motorcycle gangs who are then engaging local networked youth and youth gangs to carry out the offending.”

“Investigators continue to appeal to anyone, especially store owners and staff, who have information about these incidents and who is responsible to come forward.”

The VIPER Taskforce is a statewide capability that provides a tactical and investigative response to serious and organised crime, including youth gangs and their networks.

Anyone with information about these incidents or with further information about serious and organised crime linked to the illicit tobacco trade is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Originally published as Police seize cash, vapes and over 80,000 cigarettes from tobacco stores in Newcomb, Corio