SPER officers raid illegal tobacconists on Gold Coast

An illegal tobacco trader was caught by authorities allegedly trying to hide cash behind a false wall when police swooped on the store.

An illegal tobacco trader was caught by authorities allegedly trying to hide cash behind a false wall when officers swooped on the store.

State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) officers raided more than 20 tobacconists across southeast Queensland, including in Helensvale and Paradise Point on the Gold Coast.

Officers seized $468,000 in cash and impounded a Mercedes AMG, valued at about $200,000, and an SUV, valued at $50,000.

More than 1000 enforcement orders were issued to operators who refused to pay their fines.

During the raids, one illegal trader was sprung attempting to hide cash behind a false wall at their back of the shop while another was operating a hidden tobacconist at the rear of their retail store.

In February, a tobacconist on James St in Burleigh Heads was ordered to close by Queensland Health.

An interim closure order sign posted to the front door stated it was suspected illicit tobacco and nicotine products were being supplied at the premises.

This latest action followed an operation by Queensland Health in March, where more than 76,000 vapes, 19 million illicit cigarettes and 3.6 tonnes of loose illicit tobacco were seized, with a combined estimated street value of $20.8 million.

SPER director Kim Eastern said illegal traders would face further action if they chose not to pay their debts.

“Enforcement officers are carrying out seizure operations across south east Queensland against illegal tobacco operators to recover the debts they owe,” he said.

“We’ve caught several of these operators attempting to conceal assets, hiding cash in secret rooms and behind fake walls.

Treasurer David Janetzki said several illegal operators have closed their doors for good because of these operations.

“We’ll continue to support SPER and other agencies so they can use their full powers under the law to prevent chop shops from selling illegal tobacco and vapes, particularly to young Queenslanders,” he said.

Originally published as SPER officers raid illegal tobacconists on Gold Coast