Authorities have seized more than 455,000 illicit cigarettes, along with vapes and cash, in a series of raids on Canberra retailers. The operation, led by the ACT government and Australian Border Force, also netted 26 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, 6,000 cigars, and over 1,600 vapes.
Six retail outlets were inspected, and approximately $27,000 in cash was seized. Six persons of interest with known links to the illicit tobacco trade have been identified. ACT Policing Chief Police Officer Scott Lee said the operation demonstrated the benefits of coordinated action.
The raids involved Access Canberra, ACT Policing, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, and Australian Border Force, following months of planning. ACT Commissioner for Fair Trading Josh Rynehart described the seizure as the largest he could recall and warned retailers to expect continued enforcement.
The illicit tobacco trade in Australia is estimated to be worth about $10 billion. The federal government has recently introduced tougher penalties and expanded police powers to combat the trade, urging states and territories to shut illegal shopfronts. Similar operations on the New South Wales Central Coast last week led to the closure of 23 retailers for 90 days.
