$1.1m in illegal vapes seized as raids sweep Sydney

WATCH: More than $1.1 million worth of illegal vapes have been found stashed behind secret panels and in secret rooms after mass raids were conducted across Sydney last week.

Tobacconists across Sydney peddling black-market vapes have been swept up in the largest raid blitz so far, with more than 30,000 illegal vapes at a street value of $1.1m seized over five days last week.

The raids, which mark the start of a major push to crack down on corner stores peddling illegal disposable vapes this year, saw 60 retailers ­busted in week-long raids, which concluded on Friday.

Illegal vapes were found stashed in hidden rooms behind fake walls, inside ceiling panels and secret drawers, with some retailers going to extreme lengths to hide their contraband. Convenience stores, including multiple TSG outlets in Sydney’s CBD, took the biggest hit with seven stores in the city centre raided.

NSW Health have raided Tobacconists across Sydney with seven retailers being raided in the last five days. Six retailers were raided across Potts Point. Picture: NSW Health,

Potts Point was hit with the second highest number of raids, with six retailers caught red-handed.

Multiple retailers were also nabbed in Surry Hills, Kingsford, Bondi Junction, Darlinghurst, Maroubra, Mascot and Riverwood.

NSW Health have raided Tobacconists uncovering vapes in various hidden locations. Picture: NSW Health

In addition to the tens of thousands of vapes seized, 118,000 black-market cigarettes, 45kg of loose-leaf ­tobacco and 284 containers of nicotine pouches were taken.

Last week’s raids were the largest conducted in any one week, with NSW Health inspectors, police, and officers from the Therapeutic Goods Administration responding to a number of tip-offs from the general public.

In addition to the tens of thousands of vapes seized, 118,000 black market cigarettes, 45kg of loose-leaf tobacco and 284 containers of nicotine pouches were taken. Picture: NSW Health,

Many of the locations are raided based on tip-offs from the public. More than 4400 complaints of retailers selling illegal vapes were received by NSW Health from April 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, resulting in 5315 inspections over the same period.

The new raids follow the ­nationwide ban on the importation of disposable, single-use vapes that came into force on January 1. From the beginning of March the federal government will also ban refillable non-therapeutic vapes and the personal purchase of therapeutic vapes from overseas. There will be tougher rules on flavours, nicotine concentration levels and packaging.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park warned retailers there would be more raids to come and encouraged members of the public to report retailers breaking the law.

NSW Health have raided Tobacconists across Sydney with seven retailers being raided in the last five days. Picture: NSW Health,

“Officers have been finding some retailers have placed products in hidden rooms behind fake walls and in secret panels and drawers to hide the devices, but we have and will continue to find them,” he said. “If you think a tobacco or e-cigarette retailing law has been broken by a retailer in NSW, you can report this via the NSW Health website.”

No charges or fines for the retailers caught in last week’s sting have so far been made, although authorities are looking at doing so. The current maximum penalty for selling illegal vapes is $1650 or six months in prison.

Yet Australian Association of Convenience Stores chief executive Theo Foukkare ­believes the punishment is not enough and that enforcement should not be solely in the hands of health officers.

“We believe the fine should be in the hundreds of thousands,” he said. “After a store gets busted we often see it back up and trading the illegal goods 24 hours after.

“All governments need to invest in proper enforcement, not just health officers but a dedicated task force.”

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Originally published as $1.1m in illegal vapes seized as raids sweep Sydney