Ingham police seize 200kg of illegal tobacco in van

A man has been taken into custody after almost 200kg of illegal tobacco was found inside a van that police randomly intercepted in North Queensland.

A man has been taken into custody after almost 200kg of illegal tobacco was found inside a van that police randomly intercepted in North Queensland.

Police intercepted a van with about 200kg of illegal tobacco — estimated to be worth about $190,000 — on Macrossan Ave, Ingham at 1.35am on Wednesday.

The tobacco and the vehicle were seized, and investigations are continuing.

Police said a man was taken into custody and is assisting police with their inquiries.

It comes after the execution of two search warrants in Innisfail uncovered more than 150kg of illicit tobacco and cigarettes on January 18.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Queensland Department of Health and police officers also raided Sunshine Coast businesses suspected of supplying illicit tobacco and arrested two men last month.

But authorities have struggled to bring illicit tobacco convictions.

Between 2016 and 2022 the Illicit Tobacco Taskforce (ITTF) has only won 14 convictions against black market traders despite a mind boggling 47,000 per cent increase in cigarette stick seizures between 2020–21 and 2021–22.

If you suspect that illicit tobacco is being grown or manufactured in your community, you can confidentially report it to the ATO by completing the tip-off form or phoning 1800 060 062.

Originally published as Ingham police seize 200kg of illegal tobacco in van