Australian Border Force (ABF) investigators in Sydney have shut down another illicit tobacco smuggling operation, this time allegedly being run out of a shop in Sydney's south west.
On 28 March 2019, a container arrived into Melbourne from Lebanon. A subsequent examination by ABF officers revealed approximately 1.8 tonnes of molasses tobacco and 30kg of rough cut tobacco, concealed within food packaging.
On 3 April 2019, following further ABF investigations, a number of warrants were executed on two premises in Sydney – a business address in Condell Park and a storage facility in Granville.
Approximately 700kg of molasses tobacco and 80,000 sticks of cigarettes were seized at the business address in Condell Park, and a further 300kg of molasses tobacco was seized at the warehouse in Granville.
Investigators believe the tobacco was being sold from the Condell Park shop.
The total amount of duty evaded on the 80,000 cigarettes and 2.8 tonnes of molasses tobacco seized is more than $2 million.
ABF Regional Investigations NSW Acting Superintendent John Fleming said the operation showed the ABF will continue to disrupt the supply of illicit tobacco and dismantle the criminal syndicates that support it.
"We've shut down multiple sophisticated smuggling rings in Sydney in just the past month, and this is another 2.8 tonnes of illicit tobacco we've taken out of the market. It just goes to show – these criminals aren't going to get away with it," A/Superintendent Fleming said.
"But as long as there's a market for illicit tobacco in Australia, unfortunately they will continue to try. People need to be aware of what they're buying – not only is the profit usually funnelled back into organised crime, but the source of the product and conditions it's manufactured in are unknown."
This investigation is currently ongoing.
Offences relating to the importation and possession of tobacco under the Customs Act 1901 and Taxation Administration Act 1953 carry maximum penalties of between 5 – 10 years imprisonment and fines of up to five times the duty evaded.
Targeting illicit tobacco importation is an operational priority for the ABF. Anyone with information on the importation of illicit tobacco is encouraged to contact Border Watch at Australia.gov.au/borderwatch. This can be done anonymously.
