Seventeen Adelaide tobacco shops raided as part of Operation Eclipse
SA Police have continued their offensive against the illegal tobacco trade, raiding 17 businesses and one home.
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Authorities have raided 17 illicit tobacco shops across Adelaide as part of their latest offensive against the growing underground trade.
More than 100 SA Police officers, including members from the Serious and Organised Crime, Major Crime and Financial and Cybercrime Investigation branches, joined officials from Consumer and Business Services on Thursday and seized more than $250,000 worth of illegal tobacco products as well as $19,585 in cash.
The haul included 484 cartons of cigarettes, 58 boxes of cigarettes, 2745 packets of cigarettes, 347 pouches of loose tobacco, 7100 tobacco tubes and a number of loose cigarettes.
Of the 17 tobacconists, delicatessens, candy and gifts shops raided, only one was licensed. A home was also searched.
The sting was part of Operation Eclipse – a police crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade in SA.
Illicit tobacco was located at all of the premises.
A 24-year-old man has been charged with money laundering and will appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court in December.
Operation Eclipse tactical commander Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby said proactive action would continue to disrupt the illegal tobacco market.
“SAPOL will continue to have a whole-of-organisation response to target the syndicates and disrupt their financial operations and associated criminal activity,” he said.
“We will pursue criminal charges against those involved when sufficient evidence is available and that includes against those who are supporting or enabling that criminal activity.’’
Det. Chief Insp. Featherby urged anyone with information on those involved in the illicit tobacco trade, or on the location of illicit tobacco storage facilities, to call police.
Operation Eclipse has so far resulted in the arrest of 17 people for offences including money laundering, blackmail, serious criminal trespass and arson.
Officers in the taskforce have conducted 49 searches on homes and businesses, seized three guns, almost $900,000 in cash, almost $4 million in tobacco products and six vehicles.
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Originally published as Seventeen Adelaide tobacco shops raided as part of Operation Eclipse
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