Australian Border Force and police officers allegedly seized 285,000 cigarette sticks and close to 2000 disposable vapes during raids in Canberra on Wednesday (27 May). Screenshot: ABF.
It is estimated that more than half a million dollars-worth of allegedly illegal tobacco products have been seized during an operation in the ACT that is said to have disrupted a major supplier.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) said Operation Barracuda had been launched by the Illicit Tobacco Taskforce (ITTF) to disrupt the supply of illicit tobacco and disposable vapes suspected of being illegally imported and distributed in the Territory.
After conducting investigations, ABF officers and ACT Policing raided a home in Narrabundah as well as two commercial premises at Holt and Belconnen on Wednesday (29 May).
Officers allegedly seized 285,000 cigarette sticks, almost 2000 vapes, about 100 kg of loose leaf tobacco, 100 nicotine pouches, more than $14,000 cash and other items suspected of being proceeds of crime.
A 44-year-old man was arrested at the business in Holt, charged with one count of hindering a Commonwealth public official then granted bail to appear at the ACT Magistrates Court on 27 June.
“Investigations are continuing,” an ABF spokesperson said.
“The potential excise value from the number of illegal cigarette sticks and loose leaf tobacco seized equates to about $553,632.”
ABF ITTF Superintendent Sasha Barclay alleged the operation disrupted a major supplier in the ACT illicit tobacco market.
“ABF officers across the country are stopping millions of sticks of tobacco at the border every single day,” Superintendent Barclay said.
“In stopping these shipments at the border, we must also dismantle the business models which are allowing this ‘under the counter’ practice to flourish.
“The illicit tobacco market will continue whilst there is a demand for it – and it’s the criminal syndicates who are exploiting this market to further fund their illicit activities.”
You can report suspicious border-related activity through Border Watch by clicking here.
Loading ...
