Thule, Snowy Valleys: Illegal tobacco as heavy as 14 bulldozers seized properties near Vic border

Video shows the moment the ATO pounced on 276,000kg of illicit tobacco worth more than $52 million at two separate properties near Bendigo and Albury.

The Australian Taxation Office seized illegal tobacco equivalent to the weight of about 14 bulldozers at two properties north of the Victorian border in late March.

The ATO found and destroyed over 276,000kg of illicit tobacco with a foregone tax value of more than $52 million at two separate properties in regional NSW.

The ATO seized illicit tobacco equivalent to the weight of about 14 bulldozers last week. Photo: ATO

On March 29, the ATO and NSW police searched a property in Thule, north of Bendigo and discovered four separate tobacco crops covering more than 33 acres, as well as 756kg of tobacco leaves in storage.

Two days later, they found 7.6 acres of crops, 4000kg of drying tobacco, and five bales of tobacco at a property in the Snowy Valleys region, north-east of Albury-Wodonga.

Two diesel pumps and a tractor were among the items seized.

Tobacco crops in regional New South Wales. Photo: ATO

Acting Assistant Commissioner Megan Croaker said the illegal farms “deprives the community of millions of dollars of taxes that could otherwise be used to fund essential community services”.

“November to May is the peak growing season for illicit tobacco crops,” she said.

“We urge the community to look out for unusual farm works, earthworks along creeks or riverbeds, and large, leafy plant crops that resemble kale, cabbage or corn.

“Our efforts to dismantle these two growing operations in NSW follow on from a number of illicit tobacco busts we have conducted in recent weeks.”

The penalties for growing, selling, or possessing illicit tobacco in Australia can include up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of at least $333,000, or both.