A man has been charged after police seized more than $240,000 worth of allegedly stolen cigarettes and vapes during a traffic stop in the state's north-west.
About 7.40am today (Friday 24 October 2025), officers attached to Highway Patrol Macquarie Sector were conducting roadside testing when they stopped a silver Toyota van on Sydney Road, Kelso.
While interacting with the driver – a 33-year-old man – police were made aware of a number of suspicious packages inside the vehicle.
Police conducted a search of the vehicle, during which they seized 237 cartons of cigarettes, 5kg of tobacco – totalling approximately 47,400 cigarettes - and 1,760 vapes.
The cigarettes and tobacco have a combined estimated street value of $117,315, while the vapes have an estimated street value of $115,500.
The 33-year-old driver was arrested and taken to Bathurst Police Station, where he was charged with goods suspected stolen in or on premises (not motor vehicle) (two counts).
Police will allege in court that the cigarettes, tobacco and vapes were stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained.
He was granted conditional bail to appear before Bathurst Local Court on Wednesday 5 November 2024.
