According to a report by the Australian Broadcast Corporation on May 27th, Australian border forces and police conducted a raid in the capital city of Canberra on Wednesday (May 27th), seizing a total of 285,000 cigarettes and nearly 2,000 disposable e-cigarettes.
It is reported that a raid conducted by the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has successfully uncovered illegal tobacco products from a major supplier, with a market value of over $500,000. The Australian Border Force (ABF) stated that the Illegal Tobacco Taskforce (ITTF) has launched Operation "Mekong" to crack down on the illegal importation and distribution of illegal tobacco and disposable e-cigarettes within the territory.
ABF officials and ACT police conducted raids on residential homes in Narrabundah and two commercial premises in Holt and Belconnen on Wednesday (May 29). Authorities seized 285,000 cigarettes, almost 2,000 e-cigarettes, approximately 100 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, 100 bags of nicotine, over $14,000 in cash, and other suspected proceeds of crime.
A 44-year-old man was arrested at a commercial location in Holt for obstructing a federal officer in the performance of their duties. He has been charged with one count and was released on bail, with a court appearance scheduled for June 27th at the Capital Territory Court.
The investigation is still ongoing," a spokesperson for ABF said. "The potential excise tax calculated from the seized illegal cigarettes and loose leaf tobacco is approximately $553,632.
ABF ITTF inspector Sasha Barclay stated that the operation disrupted a key supplier in the illicit tobacco market in the ACT.
Barclay Inspector said that ABF officials across the country confiscate approximately millions of illegal cigarettes being smuggled across the border daily. "While we are stopping these movements at the border, we must also identify and dismantle the business models that allow for this 'dark trade' to thrive. The illegal tobacco market will continue to exist as long as there is demand, and it is these criminal syndicates that are using this market to further fund their illegal activities.
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