A young overseas student has been left to face the legal consequences following a major raid on an illegal tobacco operation in Perth, which uncovered a massive haul of illicit cigarettes with a street value exceeding $1.2 million.
The Raid and the Student's Role
In October of last year, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers executed a search warrant at a business in the Perth suburb of Osborne Park. The operation, which also involved WA Police, targeted a sophisticated illegal tobacco distribution network. During the raid, authorities discovered and seized a staggering 1,159,200 illicit cigarettes.
The court heard that Sneha Kharal, a 22-year-old international student from Nepal, was employed at the business. Her duties involved handling sales and managing the stock of the illegal tobacco products. Kharal pleaded guilty to a single charge of possessing tobacco products with the intent to defraud the revenue, acknowledging her role in the lucrative, unlawful trade.
A Calculated Loss for the Taxpayer
The scale of the operation represented a significant hit to public funds. Prosecutors detailed that the excise duty evaded on the seized cigarettes amounted to $1,211,664. This figure starkly highlights the substantial revenue loss that illegal tobacco operations cause to the Australian taxpayer, funding that could otherwise support essential public services.
In the Perth Magistrates Court, Magistrate Andrew Maughan emphasised the serious nature of the offence. He noted that while Kharal was not the mastermind behind the scheme, her active participation as an employee was crucial to its day-to-day function. "You were an integral part of the business," Magistrate Maughan told her, underscoring that such crimes have real and damaging consequences for the community.
Consequences and a Warning
Sneha Kharal was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month community-based order, which includes 80 hours of unpaid work. The conviction serves as a severe warning, particularly for individuals on visas, as it can have profound implications for their future immigration status and prospects in Australia.
This case is part of a broader crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade across Australia. Authorities are increasingly targeting the supply chains and retail networks that distribute these products, which are often linked to organised crime. The ABF has repeatedly warned that those involved in the trade, even in seemingly minor roles, face serious legal penalties.
The prosecution of Sneha Kharal demonstrates that the law will hold individuals accountable at all levels of an illegal operation. For overseas students and temporary residents, getting involved in such criminal enterprises risks not only a criminal record but also deportation and the shattering of their Australian dreams.
