Huge illicit tobacco haul seized in statewide Victorian blitz

Millions of dollars worth of illegal tobacco products have been seized in raids on stores in northern Victoria as part of an ongoing probe into alleged organised crime.

Millions of dollars worth of illegal tobacco products have been seized in a massive country Victoria raid in a crackdown on organised crime.

Shops in Shepparton, Seymour, Yarrawonga and Ballarat were targeted in the blitz where more than $1.1m worth of vapes and $760,000 illegal cigarettes were seized.

The regional operation comes after 34 retail stores and two residential properties were investigated last week, where six people were arrested.

Among them was a 40-year-old Northcote man who was charged with drug trafficking offences.

In total more than 92,000 e-cigarettes, 1.3m cigarettes with duty excise evaded and 901kg of loose leaf tobacco were seized with a total value of about $4.9m as part of the state-wide operation.

Tobacco manufacturing equipment was also discovered as well as 2kg of cannabis and 1kg of cocaine.

Members of the Taskforce Lunar investigation raid tobacco shops across Victoria.

Australia Border Force’s illicit tobacco taskforce and Australian Tax Office representatives found the items after executing warrants at 16 regional Victorian stores.

Anti-Gangs Division Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly said the perception that it was “easier to hide in the country…couldn’t be further from the truth”.

“We have been clear that we will target anyone at any level across the state who is involved in the distribution and sale of illicit tobacco, and that involves regional Victoria,” he said,

“As long as people’s lives remain at risk due to this heightened criminal activity, we will continue to do absolutely everything we can to deter, disrupt and dismantle these syndicates.”

ATO Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Fealy said the taxation office was also “committed to disrupting” organised crime.

“Illicit tobacco retailers gain an unfair price advantage over honest businesses who do the right thing. We actively work with our partner agencies to stamp out these retailers,” she said.

“The success of these operations would not be possible without our officers who work tirelessly and diligently to detect, disrupt and dismantle organised crime syndicates who use profits from illicit tobacco to fund other more serious crimes.”