Victoria Police seize tonnes of tobacco worth $6m after raids linked to organised crime

More than three tonnes of illicit tobacco worth more than $6 million has been seized in a joint investigation between Victoria Police and the Australian Taxation Office.

Authorities seized roughly three tonnes of allegedly illegal tobacco in Melbourne.

Authorities in Victoria have seized more than three tonnes of illicit tobacco as part of a joint operation with the Australian Taxation Office targeting the illegal cigarette market.

Detectives from Taskforce Lunar swooped on five rural properties in Melbourne’s northwest on Thursday last week, seizing firearms, cash and tobacco with an estimated street value of more than $6m.

Since Taskforce Lunar was established in October, authorities in Melbourne have arrested more than 70 people involved in serious and violent offending linked to the illicit tobacco trade, including arsons and extortions.

The taskforce has a range of specialist investigators to target organised crime groups and their involvement in the illicit tobacco trade in Victoria.

On Thursday, about 1000kg of tobacco, $170,000 cash and 11 firearms were seized as part of an investigation into the cultivation and distribution of tobacco.

Officers raided properties in three western Melbourne suburbs, Melton South, Sydenham and Delahay, where four men have been arrested. The men, aged 30, 47, 35 and 39 face a range of charges.

Police found 600kg of illicit tobacco at one address, as well as $90,000 cash and a number of improperly stored firearms.

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