Operation Eclipse raids in Adelaide, Whyalla set new SA record with over $2m in tobacco seizures

It’s been just under a month since the last record haul was revealed, but that’s been left in the shade by SA Police’s latest tobacco raids.

More than $2.38 million dollars worth of illicit tobacco products and over $300,000 cash has been seized after extensive raids under Operation Eclipse last week - marking the biggest bust of illicit tobacco in the state’s history.

It’s been just under a month since Consumer and Business Affairs officers set the previous record.

Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby – the commander of the task force – revealed that members of the Serious and Organised Crime Branch, Financial and Cybercrime Investigation Branch searched 14 metropolitan and regional premises between Monday, February 24 and Thursday, February 27.

Mr Featherby said the searches were conducted to disrupt the organised crime syndicates that are driving the illicit tobacco market in our state.

Members from Serious and Organised Crime Branch, Financial and Cybercrime Investigation Branch searched fourteen premises in metropolitan and regional areas between 24 and 27 February as part of Operation Eclipse investigations. Picture: SAPOL

The raids hit properties and facilities at Whyalla, Burton and Parafield Gardens. Picture: SAPOL

The premises included tobacconists, candy and gift shops, mini marts, commercial storage facilities, vehicles and residential properties.

Four large shipping containers were storing $2 million dollars worth of illicit tobacco, after officers searched commercial storage facilities at Burton and Parafield Gardens.

The storage facilities were being used to store tobacco then supply it to illegal retail outlets across the state, police said.

Illicit tobacco and $391,000 in cash were also seized after two vehicles were stopped and searched at Port Wakefield and Salisbury.

Police have seized over $2.38 million worth of illicit tobacco and $391,000 in cash. Picture: SAPOL

It’s been just a few weeks since Consumer and Business Affairs officers broke the previous record. Picture: SAPOL

Mr Featherby said the cash seizures highlight the massive amount of money being made from the illegal tobacco market.

“We seek to continue to disrupt both financial and criminal operations of these syndicates and pursue criminal charges where sufficient evidence exists,” Mr Featherby said.

Police are still investigating where the tobacco products were sourced from, and have made no arrests following the seizures.

To date, 136 premises have been searched under Operation Eclipse, resulting in $12.5 million worth of illicit tobacco products being seized.

Detective Inspector Brett Featherby commander of the Operation Eclipse task force at a press conference at SA Police’s Adelaide headquarters. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Roy VanDerVegt

Police said they will continue to investigate organised crime syndicates that are operating in metropolitan and regional areas.

“We intend to suppress and investigate serious criminal activities aligned with the illicit tobacco market to ensure public safety,” Mr Featherby said.

“We will also target people supporting them as they evolve to prevent and suppress serious criminal activity and ensure community safety”.

Mr Featherby urged “transport, carrier companies” and the public to contact police or Crime Stoppers if they have any information on criminal activities surrounding the sale of illicit tobacco.

“In particular, if they have awareness of locations where illicit tobacco is being stored, or have knowledge of any persons that are supporting the activity in South Australia,” he said.

Originally published as Operation Eclipse raids in Adelaide, Whyalla set new SA record with over $2m in tobacco seizures