Traffic and Highway Patrol police have seized more than $4.5 million worth of tobacco and vape products during three separate incidents across the state this week.
In the first incident, about 2pm on Tuesday 16 June 2026, officers stopped a truck on the Pacific Highway, Nabiac, in relation to the manner of driving.
The driver – a 39-year-old woman – was subjected to roadside testing which returned negative results.
Following inquiries, police searched the cargo area of the truck and allegedly locating more than 17,000 vapes and 615,000 cigarettes, valued at a total of about $1.5 million.
A small amount of cannabis was also found.
The woman was issued with a Court Attendance Notice for goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, possess at least 1000 times the commercial quantity of vaping goods, and possess prohibited drug.
She is due to appear before Forster Local Court on Wednesday 26 August 2026.
In the second incident, about 2pm on Wednesday 17 June 2026, officers stopped a truck travelling south on The Hume Highway, Yass, after it was observed displaying only one P plate.
The driver – a 25-year-old man – was subjected to a roadside testing which returned a negative result.
Officers conducted further inquiries before attempting to search the vehicle; however, the cargo area was locked and could not be accessed.
Police transported the truck to Yass Police Station where they gained access to the cargo area, before allegedly locating more than 495,000 cigarettes, 13.3 kgs of tobacco, and 310 vapes.
The seized items have an estimated street value of more than $760,000.
The 25-year-old driver was charged with two counts of possess tobacco 50 times or more commercial quantity and possess commercial quantity of vaping goods.
He was granted conditional bail to appear before Yass Local Court on Thursday 30 July 2026.
In the third incident, about 9.20pm on Wednesday, officers attached to stopped a truck travelling on the Pacific Highway, Jones Island, for the purposes of random testing and a compliance inspection.
The driver – a 58-year-old man – was subjected to roadside breath test which returned a negative result.
Officers conducted further inquiries and searched the truck, allegedly locating a large quantity of tobacco leaf.
The truck was subsequently transported to Nabiac Police Station, where further searches were conducted.
Approximately 2377kg of tobacco leaf was allegedly located inside the truck. The seized items have an estimated value of approximately $2.6 million.
The man was issued a Court Attendance Notice for goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen.
He is due to appear before Taree Local Court on Tuesday 4 August 2026.
