The Australian Border Force (ABF) has uncovered a significant surge in illicit tobacco detections in New South Wales over the past three weeks, intercepting multiple major consignments of undeclared and illegal tobacco products at both air and sea ports.
Since mid-June, three separate detections at Sydney airport involving travellers all arriving from Lebanon have highlighted ongoing efforts by individuals attempting to smuggle illicit tobacco through aviation routes:
- A couple was intercepted with a staggering 65.6 kilograms of tobacco and 480 cigarettes concealed within their baggage.
- A separate passenger was found carrying 14 kilograms of undeclared tobacco in his luggage.
- In another case, a man travelling with his wife and children was caught with 31 kilograms of tobacco and 940 cigarettes, hidden in their checked baggage.
ABF officers also made two near record-breaking discoveries in separate shipping containers arriving into Australia, one holding 14 million illicit cigarettes and the other concealing over 3 tonnes of loose leaf tobacco.
In addition to these enormous seizures, over the past three weeks the ABF has also intercepted further sea cargo containers arriving in NSW containing:
- 5.6 million cigarettes
- 7.7 million cigarettes, and
- Two containers each holding 10.5 million cigarettes
ABF Commander Ken McKern said the significant hauls in such a short space of time highlights the scale and persistence of criminal efforts to exploit Australia's border for financial gain.
"Our officers remain vigilant at every entry point to Australia's border - whether it's passengers trying to smuggle tobacco through their suitcases or complex concealments inside sea cargo containers," Commander McKern said.
"These detections reflect the ABF's unwavering commitment to protecting the Australian community and economy from the harms of illicit tobacco."
"Every purchase of illicit tobacco is a step towards fuelling organised crime, the same networks that fund corruption and other serious criminal activity. This is not a victimless crime - and we hope this serves as a warning to those involved in the illegal importation of tobacco into Australia."
In addition to a strong border presence, the ABF also have officer's deployed overseas, stopping illicit shipments before they have the chance to reach our shores.
Anyone with information about the importation of illicit tobacco is encouraged to report it confidentially via Border Watch at www.abf.gov.au/borderwatch.
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