Two men have been charged after illegal tobacco worth more than $500,000 was found when a truck crashed near Grafton this morning.
About 4am today (Sunday 4 May 2025), emergency services were called to the Pacific Highway, Tucabia, 25km east of Grafton, following reports of a crash.
Officers attached to Coffs/Clarence Police District attended and found a truck had left the roadway, before rolling and landing on its side.
Two men, both aged 19, were able to get out of the truck uninjured; however, when the truck was checked, 125 boxes containing loose-leaf tobacco was discovered.
The boxes weighed in at about 2.5 tonnes which have an estimated potential street value of $500,000. Police have been advised this is a total excise loss of more than $1m.
A crime scene was established and investigations commenced.
The men were arrested and taken to Grafton Police Station where they were charged with,
- Convey/possess tobacco products reckless re defraud revenue
- Deal with property proceeds of crime greater than $100000
- Goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle)
The driver was charged with an additional offence being:
- Possess means of disguising face with intent commit indictable offence
They were bail refused to appear before Grafton Local Court tomorrow (Monday 5 May 2025).
