Chop-chop and alleged dirty money seized in black market tobacco bust
A traffic intercept has led to the chance seizure of Chinese-branded black market tobacco and more than $250,000, alleged to be the proceeds of a thriving illicit trade in Cairns. See the video.
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A routine traffic intercept has led to the chance seizure of black market tobacco and more than a quarter of a million dollars, alleged to be the proceeds of a thriving Cairns illicit tobacco trade.
On Saturday, police allege a white Kia van was flagged after Cairns highway patrol unit officers clocked the vehicle exceeding the speed limit on Wilkinson St, Manunda.
Having pulled the vehicle over, officers allege they saw large bales of tobacco on the back seat of the van.
Highway patrol officers called in a currency detection dog who did a sweep of the van and confirmed large sums of money were being transported in the van, alongside the tobacco.
A thorough search of the vehicle discovered more than 100kg of illegal tobacco destined for the black market and almost $260,000 in currency.
The 100kg of chop-chop would be worth about $100,000 based on an illicit price of 50g being commonly sold in Cairns for $50.
Unpacking the bales by the side of the road, revealed in a video released by police, the tobacco appeared to be wrapped in Chinese-branded packaging.
The bust follows rolling raids across the state last week as part of a major multi-agency blitz that targeted the illegal sale of tobacco, vapes and other smoking products.
More than $2m worth of tobacco and vapes were seized following raids in Mackay, Emerald, Townsville, Yeppoon, Ayr and Rockhampton.
The raids follow the state government’s tough new laws passed in May granting Queensland Health stronger powers to crack down on illicit tobacco, but illicit traders in Cairns have to date not been targeted by law enforcement.
The Cairns Post reached out to lead agency co-ordinating last week’s seizures, Queensland Health, requesting information about pending raids on a network of illicit tobacco shop fronts in Cairns, however no information was forthcoming.
Illicit tobacco shops trading in plain sight are currently operating on Anderson St Manunda, Lou Piccone Way in Edmonton, McLeod St, and Lake St in the CBD.
Inspector Jason Chetham said authorities were aware of illegal retail outlets operating throughout Cairns however he declined to state if chop-chop shops would be raided.
“It’s certainly on our radar and we’re working closely with Queensland Health and the Australian Taxation Office who actually have the Commonwealth carriage for tobacco-related matters,” he said.
“(Raids will) probably not be done by Cairns police, but obviously there are other work units in the Queensland Police Service who have got their eyes on the particular matter.”
Insp Chetham said while the investigation was still in its infancy police believed the man arrested on Saturday was a part of an illicit tobacco syndicate.
“He is from Morayfield in southeast Queensland so that was a red flag straightaway as to why he was up here, we believe he is part of a broader syndicate and we’re investigating that with our southeast Queensland colleagues,” he said.
“We believe that the property and the cash is the proceeds of crime and there’s no evidence that tobacco has been properly documented through the system and had the appropriate duty and excise paid on it.”
The 19-year-old man busted on the weekend was charged with possession of tainted property, and possession of illegal tobacco.
The man, from Morayfield, was also issued a traffic infringement notice for exceeding speed limit, travelling 69kph in a 60kph zone, and failing to display P plates.
He is due to reappear at Cairns Magistrates Court on October 18.
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