This is a joint release between the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and Australian Border Force
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The alleged ringleader of a criminal syndicate accused of supplying Melbourne with more than seven tonnes of illicit tobacco has been charged (9 September, 2025) following a major joint law enforcement operation.
The North Coburg man, 49, is accused of masterminding the importation of largescale quantities of illicit tobacco into Victoria, dodging an estimated $36.3 million in Commonwealth excise taxes.
A second man, 29, accused of conspiracy to import tobacco, has also been charged.
The Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (JOCTF), comprising members of the AFP, Victoria Police and Australian Border Force (ABF), launched an investigation in November, 2024, based on intelligence from the ABF-led Illicit Tobacco Taskforce about a suspected criminal syndicate smuggling significant amounts of illicit tobacco into Australia.
The tobacco was shipped to Victoria via air and sea cargo from multiple countries, concealed inside consignments of kitchen items and clothing.
It is alleged the North Coburg man facilitated the importation of more than seven tonnes of looseleaf tobacco, about 5 million cigarettes and more than 5000 vapes throughout a 10-month period to avoid millions in Commonwealth taxes.
He allegedly used connections and criminal associates in the freight and logistics industry to import and distribute the tobacco to a number of warehouses and 20 tobacco shops under his control.
JOCTF members arrested the man at a North Coburg property on Tuesday morning (9 September, 2025). They also arrested a Meadow Heights man, 29, who was allegedly responsible for the movement of the tobacco across the state/country.
JOCTF members also executed a series of search warrants on Tuesday at commercial and residential properties across Melbourne, including at Campbellfield, Coburg North, Meadow Heights, Mickleham, Gladstone Park and Craigieburn, seizing tobacco manufacturing equipment, filters, vapes, a cash counting machine and electronic devices.
A significant quantity of alleged illicit tobacco products, about 70 pallets worth, was seized across multiple warrants. Authorities estimate it includes tonnes of looseleaf tobacco, tens of millions of individual cigarette sticks and tens of thousands of vape products have been seized, and will review totals in coming days.
The North Coburg man was charged with:
• Three counts of import tobacco product with intent to defraud the revenue, contrary to section 233BABAD(1) of the Customs Act 1901 (Cth). This offence carries a maximum term of up to 10 years' imprisonment.
• Five counts of possess unlawfully imported tobacco with intent to defraud the revenue, contrary to section 233BABAD(2) contrary to Customs Act 1901 (Cth). This offence carries a maximum term of up to 10 years' imprisonment.
• Five counts of a person who carries on a tobacco supply business must not have control of a commercial quantity of illicit tobacco, contrary to section 11A(2) of the Tobacco Act 1987 (Vic). This offence carries a maximum term of up to five years' imprisonment.
• One count of a person must not sell or otherwise supply a commercial quantity of illicit tobacco, contrary to section 11A(4) of the Tobacco Act 1987 (Vic). This offence carries a maximum term of up to 15 years' imprisonment.
• Five counts of a person commits an offence if the person supplies vaping goods in Australia, contrary to s.41QB(1) of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (Cth). This offence carries a maximum term of up to seven years' imprisonment.
• Five counts of unauthorised possession of a schedule 4 poison, namely nicotine, contrary to section 36B(2) of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic). This offence carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 penalty points.
The Meadow Heights man was charged with:
• One count of possess unlawfully imported tobacco with intent to defraud the revenue, contrary to section 233BABAD(2) contrary to the Customs Act 1901(Cth). This offence carries a maximum term of up to 10 years' imprisonment.
They are both expected to face the Melbourne Magistrates' Court today (11 September, 2025).
Further arrests are expected as part of the investigation.
AFP Acting Commander Investigations Ray Imbriano said the AFP, together with its state and Commonwealth partners, was committed to combatting organised crime's grip on the illicit tobacco trade in Australia.
"Illicit tobacco has fuelled unspeakable violence and crime in our communities, and the joint investigation into this alleged criminal syndicate is yet another step in law enforcement's efforts to dismantle these illicit operations," a/Commander Imbriano said.
"Criminal networks mistakenly believe they can operate outside of the law in Australia. We're here to remind them - they cannot.
"The AFP, together with our JOCTF law enforcement partners, remains relentless in our efforts to target and dismantle these criminal syndicates, and bring offenders to justice."
Victoria Police Commander Paul O'Halloran said the trafficking of illicit tobacco by organised crime groups went hand in hand with a range of other serious and violent offending.
"What we have seen play out in Victoria, particularly during the past two years, is a number of violent crimes driven by the fight between these groups for the profits derived from the illicit tobacco trade," Commander O'Halloran said.
"Most commonly this has played out as arson and extortion, as well as money laundering and firearms offences. These offences put the broader community at increased risk of harm and already we have seen unnecessary deaths as a result of these arson attacks.
"I think the public should feel outraged at the way these groups are reaping millions of dollars while putting the community at immense risk. Victoria Police will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold those responsible for this offending to account, and these results are testament to that."
ABF Commander Greg Dowse said the ABF remained committed to disrupting the business model of illicit tobacco in Australia and disrupting criminal syndicates involved in the black market trade.
"The ABF continues to target and seize record amounts of illicit tobacco and vapes at our border," Commander Dowse said.
"We're utilising every avenue available to us and our partners to detect, disrupt, and ultimately dismantle the organised crime groups dealing with illicit tobacco and vapes.
"We'll continue to work closely with domestic and international partners through ongoing collaboration, cooperation, and information sharing."
Victoria Police
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