$40 million in illegal tobacco seized in raid at Linthorpe near Toowoomba

Up to four hectares of illegal tobacco has been uncovered in a raid by the Australian Taxation Office and Queensland Police west of Brisbane.

Police and the ATO have seized 25 tonnes of illicit tobacco in a raid near Toowoomba where close to four hectares of the plant were found.

The two agencies worked together to seize the tobacco from a Linthorpe property earlier this week, which had an estimated value of almost $40 million.

ATO Assistant Commissioner Ian Read said the illicit tobacco trade was not victimless, with widespread negative consequences across the community.

Tobacco crops being destroyed in Linthorpe.

“Tobacco growing operations are not run by small producers or farmers. They are run by organised criminal syndicates who deliberately engage in illegal activities,” he said.

“Organised criminals who deal in illicit tobacco rob the Australian community by using their profits to fund their criminal behaviour well beyond the sale of illegal tobacco.”

If convicted, growing tobacco could land a person in hail for 10 years.

An illegal tobacco crop was found in Linthorpe.

The ATO estimates that illicit tobacco costs the Australian community $822 in lost revenue annually.

“Signs to look out for include intense labour production between November and May, suspicious inquiries about land for lease and unexplained use of water resources.”

Mature tobacco plants can be up to 2.5 metres tall, have large green leaves and long trumpet-shaped, white-pinkish flowers, and may resemble kale, cabbage or corn,” Mr Read said.

Originally published as $40 million in illegal tobacco seized in raid at Linthorpe near Toowoomba