Operation Eclipse raid at Pooraka uncovers huge quantity of cigarettes, tobacco and cash

Police have raided the suspected safe house of one of the major players in the sale of illicit tobacco in SA, allegedly smoking out cigarettes with a street value of up to $1m.

A stash of allegedly illicit cigarettes with a street value of $1 million has been seized in a raid of what police say is the safe house of one of the major criminal groups involved in the trade in South Australia.

It comes as the public is being urged to keep an eye out for unusual light truck movements across metropolitan Adelaide, as police say organised crime syndicates are smuggling illicit tobacco into the state mainly in small trucks.

In the raid, officers also found more than $10,000 in US currency and $10,000 in Australian currency concealed in walls at the northern suburbs premises on Thursday.

They expect to make arrests in relation to the cache of illegal products discovered.

Police believe the premises is one of several across suburban Adelaide being used by three key crime syndicates to carry out illegal activities associated with illicit tobacco.

Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby on Friday appealed to members of the community to be on the lookout for any increased movements of vehicles or light trucks at industrial properties and warehouses in recent months.

Police raided the suspected safe house of one of the major syndicates involved in the sale of illicit tobacco at Pooraka. Picture: SAPOL

Some of the tobacco, cigarettes and cash uncovered in the raid. Picture: SAPOL

Boxes found in the safe house. Picture: SAPOL

A commercial cash counter was also found at the premises. Picture: SAPOL

“We are aware that illicit tobacco is being transported from interstate in small trucks, such is the quantity being sold,” he said.

“I ask neighbours and landlords, if you’ve seen any suspicious activity or there are premises where light trucks or other vehicles didn’t previously attend, to contact police through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” he said.

“If all of a sudden you see an increase of activity at the address or you have seen vehicles that don’t previously go there, I ask you to contact Crime Stoppers.”

Police have received 60 calls to Crime Stoppers in relation to illicit tobacco since October 2.

“The information that the public have may only be small or one component but it may actually fit the bigger picture of what we’re trying to achieve,” Detective Chief Inspector Featherby said.

“So … even if you don’t think it’s relevant, please contact Crime Stoppers and advise us.”

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Detective Chief Inspector Featherby said Operation Eclipse – which was established to combat criminal activity connected to SA’s growing illicit tobacco market – was progressing “extremely well”.

“We’re confident that if we continue at the rate we are we will make South Australia a very, very difficult environment for these criminal groups to operate in to sell their illicit tobacco,” he said.

Since Operation Eclipse was established in September, police have raided 10 houses and eight businesses, and arrested 13 people in connection with the illegal tobacco market.

Police suspect 19 arson attacks over recent months are connected to the ongoing underground tobacco war across Adelaide.

The Advertiser last week revealed SA tobacco shop owners were being asked to pay $2000 a month to interstate crime syndicates or risk being firebombed.

Originally published as Operation Eclipse raid at Pooraka uncovers huge quantity of cigarettes, tobacco and cash