Australian Border Force and ACT authorities have raided multiple Canberra retailers, seizing over 455,000 illicit cigarettes, 26 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, 6,000 cigars, and more than 1,600 vapes. Approximately $27,000 in cash was also confiscated during the operation, which targeted the black market tobacco trade.
The raids, conducted over the past week, involved Access Canberra, ACT Policing, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, and the Australian Border Force. Six persons of interest with known links to illicit tobacco were identified, and six retail outlets were inspected. ACT Chief Police Officer Scott Lee confirmed that criminal assets teams supported the seizure of cash.
ACT Commissioner for Fair Trading Josh Rynehart described the seizure as the largest he can recall, stating that retailers should expect continued enforcement in the coming months. The operation followed months of planning and public input, with further raids anticipated.
The crackdown is part of a national effort to combat the illicit tobacco trade, estimated to be worth $10 billion. Last week, similar operations on the New South Wales Central Coast led to the closure of 23 retailers for 90 days and the seizure of 836,000 illicit cigarettes, 120 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, and thousands of vapes.
