Two people face court over alleged attempt to import $127,000 worth of vapes

Police allege the seized shipment contained $127,000 worth of illegal vapes. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

Two men who were allegedly connected with the importation and trade of illegal vapes in the ACT have faced court.

An ACT Policing spokesperson said a consignment of what is believed to be 2540 vapes, with an estimated value of $127,000, was intercepted by the Australian Border Force.

Officers then carried out search warrants at Ainslie and Hackett properties on Tuesday (29 October), and two men were arrested.

In the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday (30 October), 19-year-old Ainslie man Muhannad Haddara applied for bail.

He had allegedly arranged for the delivery and then tried to take possession of it, though it was seized by police.

The landscaper is facing a charge of possessing at least 100 times more than the commercial quantity of vaping goods and a charge of importing vaping goods.

A 20-year-old Hackett man, Benjie Tari Nishai Seru, was also arrested after police allegedly located almost 300 vapes and more than $3000 of cash at his residence.

He has been charged with possessing at least 100 times more than the commercial quantity of vaping goods, possessing at least the commercial quantity of vaping goods, supplying vaping goods and possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of crime.

Magistrate Glenn Theakston granted bail to both men, with conditions including that they report to police regularly, surrender their passports and not own more than one vape.

Police allege the two are part of a group that was involved in the sale of vapes across the ACT and surrounding region.

Two other men – a 24-year-old Vietnamese national and a 26-year-old Crace man – were previously arrested over their alleged involvement.

“To date, police have seized as part of this investigation more than 3 kg of cannabis-laced gummies, more than 2 kg of dried cannabis, nearly 4000 vapes with an estimated street value of just under $200,000, and about $43,000 suspected of being the proceeds of crime,” the police spokesperson said.

Mr Haddara and Mr Nishai Seru are next scheduled to return to court in late November. No pleas have been entered.

Anyone who can assist police with information about the illegal sale and distribution of vapes and illicit substances in the ACT is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or by visiting the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.