ABF Strikes Major Blow Against Illegal E-Cigarette and Tobacco Trade

According to News.com.au on August 13, the Australian Border Force (ABF) seized over 4000 e-cigarettes in a single day, with the seized products involving the e-cigarette brand IGET.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) has seized over 4,000 e-cigarettes and approximately 110,000 illicit tobacco cigarettes in New South Wales (NSW). These illegal items were discovered during inspections at three tobacco shops in the Central Coast region, which are reportedly linked to organized crime.

This operation was part of a major cross-state operation, which resulted in the seizure of 9,338 disposable e-cigarettes, 742,811 cigarette sticks, and 76 kilograms of loose tobacco.

Erin Dale, Interim Illegal Tobacco and E-Cigarette Commissioner (ITEC), stated that combating illegal e-cigarette trade requires a "collaborative response across multiple jurisdictions," with disrupting the profitability of organized crime being a key factor.

In this operation, officials discovered illegal tobacco being sold under the counter at discounted prices - not only evading taxes, but also fueling the activities of criminal gangs involved in smuggling and supplying these products.

Similarly, cheap e-cigarette products that are now banned are prominently displayed to customers in some stores.

Australian Border Force Commander Ken McKern stated that organized criminal groups are "highly adaptive and resilient", and cracking down on the illegal tobacco market is a primary focus of ABF's work.

Criminal networks see the illegal tobacco market as a low-risk, high-reward commodity - these organized crime groups have strong adaptability and resilience. After a raid, the products are often transferred or quickly set up in new locations.

We will continue to disrupt the business models of these criminal organizations, some of the best methods being working with partner agencies, sharing intelligence, and utilizing all available institutional authority and legal means to dismantle these criminal operations.

The latest crackdown occurred after the Australian Border Force-led Illicit Tobacco Taskforce (ITTF) seized over $5 million worth of suspected nicotine e-cigarettes and approximately $3.8 million worth of cigarettes and tobacco products in the past week.

ABF ITTF Commander Penny Spies stated that the illegal tobacco market is attractive to organized crime groups due to the huge profits brought in from tax evasion.

These profits funded a lavish lifestyle and were reinvested into organized criminal activities.