Authorities have shattered a sophisticated illegal tobacco syndicate and seized millions of cigarettes and vapes in raids across Queensland and NSW.
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The joint state and federal operation began in October and targeted a network that allegedly acquired a number of retail outlets and used them to illegally sell tobacco and vaping products.
The outlets were mainly in Queensland but the syndicate was spreading rapidly to other states and territories, the Australian Border Force said.
Authorities this week searched 11 premises in southeast Queensland, Tweed Heads and Coffs Harbour and seized about $1.4 million in cash, 2.8 million cigarettes, about 380 kilograms of loose leaf tobacco and suspected counterfeit plain packaging.
Cigarette and tobacco products valued at more than $3.8 million were nabbed in the raids, along with $5.3 million worth of nicotine vapes.
Officers also found cash counting machines, knuckle dusters and a small amount of illegal drugs.
The border force-led operation included the Australian Federal Police, Queensland Police, Queensland Health, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Victoria Police and NSW Police.
The border force said the bust was among the largest of its kind in recent years and was a substantial blow to multi-layered criminal syndicates.
"It's also a great demonstration of how intelligence sharing and close collaboration with partner agencies across federal and state jurisdictions can lead to such impressive results," Border Force Commander Penny Spies said.
"We will continue to work together domestically and internationally to combat illicit tobacco networks.
"As demonstrated with the cash seized at these warrants, the illicit tobacco trade is an attractive market for organised criminal syndicates due to the lucrative profits that can be made in evaded tax.
"These profits fund lavish lifestyles and are channelled back into organised crime."
Queensland Health Acting Chief Health Officer Catherine McDougall said e-cigarettes were a significant health risk.
"Any efforts to reduce accessibility of tobacco and nicotine-containing products should be welcomed and applauded," she said.
Australian Associated Press
