The Australian Border Force (ABF) has disrupted a major illicit tobacco operation in the Northern Territory, seizing more than 433,000 cigarettes, 686 kilograms of loose leaf tobacco and 50,000 disposable vapes during targeted warrant activity in Darwin.
On 28 May 2026, ABF Regional Investigations Northern Territory, supported by the Detector Dog Unit (DDU), executed Customs Act 1901 warrants at a Darwin premises identified through intelligence led targeting.
ABF officers seized:
• 433,400 illicit cigarettes
• 686 kilograms of illicit loose leaf tobacco
• 50,200 single use vapes
The seized goods represent approximately $1.8 million in evaded duty and an estimated $3.7 million in potential proceeds of crime.
The operation follows another recent ABF disruption in the Northern Territory, where officers seized than 100,000 cigarettes and 39 kilograms of loose leaf tobacco from the international mail stream earlier this month.
The seizures form part of Operation GOALFENCE, an intelligence led campaign targeting illicit tobacco before it reaches the black market and Australian communities, under the broader framework of Operation PRINTWALL.
ABF Commander Graeme Campbell said the seizure was another significant disruption to organised criminal activity in the Northern Territory.
"This seizure is proof that through our intelligence led operations, ABF officers are detecting and disrupting criminal supply chains before these goods ever reach the community," Commander Campbell said.
"Our Detector Dog Unit played a critical role in this operation, with the highly trained dogs and handlers detecting concealed illicit goods across a range of environments.
"Illicit tobacco and vapes undermine legitimate businesses and fund broader criminal activity. The ABF will continue to use every capability at our disposal to protect the Australian community."
Investigations into persons of interest remain ongoing.
Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected illicit tobacco activity via Border Watch at http://www.abf.gov.au/borderwatch.
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