Detectives from Taskforce Lunar executed five warrants across Melbourne's northwest yesterday, seizing $14.7M worth of illicit cigarettes, loose-leaf tobacco and vapes as part of an investigation into the coordination of extortions and arsons on behalf of a syndicate leader.
With assistance from the VIPER Taskforce and Australian Border Force, police searched five addresses believed to be selling or storing illicit tobacco including a shop in Pascoe Vale, a storage facility in Williamstown, two residential addresses in Laverton and a factory in Keilor Park.
As a result, the following was seized:
- 5,223,681 illicit cigarettes, with a tax evasion of approximately $5,449,344
- 4.285 tonnes of loose-leaf tobacco, with a tax evasion of approximately $9,249,815, and
- 4,532 vapes.
Over 77,000 cigarettes, 10kg of loose-leaf tobacco, over 1200 vapes and a signal jammer were seized from the Pascoe Vale business.
At least 560kg of loose-leaf tobacco was located at the Williamstown address.
While executing the warrant at a Laverton address, investigators identified that two electricity cords were run to the neighbouring property, subsequently locating a hidden gate which joined the two addresses.
A further search warrant was applied for, and police seized over 4,275 tonnes of loose-leaf tobacco, 5,146,621 illicit cigarettes and 3,263 vapes from both properties.
Police believe the properties are linked to a syndicate member involved in the importation and distribution of illicit tobacco.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Victoria Police continues to support local councils and the Victorian Department of Health who have responsibility for tobacco and vape enforcement and compliance.
Detectives continue to work alongside external agencies such as the ABF, AFP, TGA, ATO and interstate counterparts.
Anyone with further information about serious and organised crime linked to the illicit tobacco trade is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Acting Inspector Andrew Foot, Taskforce Lunar:
"Alongside our partner agencies, we are continuing to relentlessly target the issue of illicit tobacco and its links to serious and organised crime in every way possible.
"We have been clear that this is no longer simply about the investigation of individual incidents - this is about doing absolutely everything we can to deter, disrupt and dismantle these syndicates and those at the helm of them.
"This includes the targeting of anyone across Victoria who is involved in the distribution and sale of illicit tobacco, at any level. Ultimately, this is contributing to enabling those organised crime syndicates to operate here in Victoria."
