This is a joint media release between the Australian Border Force, Queensland Police, Queensland Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australian Federal Police, Queensland's State Penalties Enforcement Registry, South Australian Consumer and Business Services, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, South Australian Police, AUSTRAC and Australian Tax Office.
QLD vision can be downloaded here and images downloaded here
SA vision can be downloaded here and images downloaded here
The first official operation of the Australian Border Force (ABF)-led Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group (NDG) across Queensland and South Australia has resulted in:
- Arrest of a United Kingdom national charged with possession of illicit tobacco
- Seizure of approximately 3 million illicit cigarettes, over 327kg loose-leaf tobacco and over 22,040 vaping devices.
- Seizure of over AUD $2.127million cash
- Seizure of illicit property including several vehicles totalling over AUD $700,000 street value
- Issued temporary closure of 25 non-compliant retail outlets
- Identified 70 persons of interest
- Total of approximately AUD $5 million estimated duty evaded
NDG Operation TEMPEST26 was a three-phased joint agency operation to detect, deter and disrupt illicit tobacco networks that threaten Australia's borders and the community.
Phase one saw partner agencies collaborate and share critical information and intelligence with the NDG, identifying potential threats, persons of interest and criminal activity within the illicit tobacco networks in Queensland and South Australia.
Information and intelligence supplied in phase one was assessed and triaged through the NDG, identifying a range of opportunities for disruption in the supply chain of illicit tobacco including import, storage, distribution and retail by mid-level criminals and enablers.
This information fed into phase two - the coordinated high visibility week of action, which took place between Monday 23 and Saturday 28 February 2026.
Over 75 locations were targeted, including shopfronts, warehouses and residential properties, with results from the nationally coordinated week of action highlighting the successful approach of NDG coordinating information and intelligence sharing, enforcement, and disruption activities.
Agencies involved included the ABF, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), Services Australia, Queensland Police Service (QPS), Queensland Health (Qld Health), Queensland State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER), AUSTRAC, South Australia's Consumer and Business Services, and South Australian Police (SAPOL).
Queensland week of action results
Officers from ABF, QPS, Qld Health, TGA, SPER, AFP and ATO attended approximately 60 retail outlets, residential properties and commercial properties located in Queensland, and seized:
- Over 2,432,500 illicit cigarettes, 266 kg loose-leaf tobacco, over 20,800 vaping devices and accessories,
- Approximately AUD $2,121,000 million cash,
- Two safes and three vehicles, and
- Several thousand drug utensils and counterfeit drugs.
Officers issued the temporary closure of 10 stores and identified 51 persons of interest with known links to the illicit tobacco trade.
While searching a residential property in the Brisbane suburbs, AFP, QPS and SPER located approximately AUD $1.5 million cash, while SPER seized over AUD $600 thousand in cash and collected over AUD $ 180,000 in outstanding debt.
South Australia week of action results
Across 15 retail outlets and residential properties located in South Australia, officers from ABF and Consumer and Business Services SA seized:
- Over 368,600 illicit cigarettes, 61.6 kg loose leaf tobacco, 1,168 vaping devices and approximately AUD $ 5,600 cash,
- Identified 19 persons of interest with known links to the illicit tobacco trade, and
- Shut down 15 outlets selling illicit tobacco and vapes for 28 days.
While searching a shopfront property in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, officers located an underground room. A search of the hidden room located several boxes of illicit tobacco as well as further information to assist with ongoing enquiries.
During the week of action, a UK national was also arrested by ABF officers for selling illicit tobacco and was charged with offending pursuant to Customs Act 1901 section 233BABAD possessing imported tobacco with an intention to defraud revenue. Further charges are being considered, the female will appear in the Elizabeth magistrates court on 8 April 2026.
Phase three will see the NDG assess information gathered during the week of action to identify further disruption opportunities with partner agencies to break the business model of illicit tobacco in Australia and create an increasingly hostile environment for criminal networks and enablers. Examples of these activities may include:
- Business closures
- Exploring revocation of transport and professional licenses
- Financial and benefits assessments by Federal and State Authorities
- Visa reviews by the Department of Home Affairs
- Immediate information sharing with law enforcement and regulatory agencies
The NDG currently has 26 external partnerships across Federal, State and Territory agencies, and industry sectors committed to supporting coordinated action led by the NDG.
Investigations and further enforcement action remain ongoing.
Quotes
Australian Border Force
Commander Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Greg Dowse said this historic result is the perfect example of how a coordinated national response combining intelligence and regulatory powers can disrupt illicit tobacco operations at every stage of the supply chain.
"Through the Illicit Tobacco NDG, agencies are working side by side in ways not previously utilised, leveraging each organisation's powers and capabilities to achieve impactful outcomes that simply weren't possible working in isolation," Commander Dowse said.
"Through enhanced intelligence sharing and regulatory action, we are making it significantly harder for criminals to profit from the illicit tobacco market, and we are breaking down the foundations of this trade."
Queensland Health
Chief Health Officer Dr Marianne Gale said the operation put another dent in the state's tobacco and vape black market.
'We will not tolerate businesses putting the health of our community, especially young Queenslanders, at risk by illegally selling vapes and tobacco products," Dr Gale said.
"Our strict illicit tobacco laws, backed by harsh penalties and enforcement action, are helping to stop the sale of millions of illegal smoking products across the state."
"Queensland Health will always welcome the opportunity to work with other agencies to put illegal suppliers out of business."
TGA
Acting Head of the TGA and Deputy Secretary, Nick Henderson, said the TGA continues to work closely with federal, state and territory partners to disrupt the illicit trade of vaping goods. We are strengthening our shared commitment through the National Disruption Group.
Queensland State Penalties Enforcement Registry
Assistant Commissioner Daniel Fielding, said SPER had seized more than $624,000 in cash and 3 vehicles during the operation.
"SPER will continue to exercise the full range of its powers to enforce debts owed by illegal tobacco operators," Mr Fielding said.
"SPER officers will seize the cash, vehicles and other property of individuals and businesses engaged in the illicit tobacco trade where they refuse to pay their fines, including seizing cash held in safes, bank accounts or in ATMs."
"Working with partner agencies in the Illicit Tobacco NDG, we will continue to disrupt illegal tobacco activities and the cashflow of these businesses."
Consumer and Business Services
State Commissioner Brett Humphrey said this is a significant step forward in our ongoing fight against the illicit tobacco and vape trade in South Australia.
"Every cigarette and vape seized, every storefront closed disrupts the supply of these illegal products to South Australians.
"Our collaboration with other enforcement agencies within the Illicit Tobacco NDG helps strengthen and target our efforts to ensure we are delivering the best possible results for the community."
AFP
Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said Australia needed a whole-of-community commitment to change the perception and acceptance of illicit tobacco.
"The illicit tobacco trade is directly linked to acts of violence in our community, and these crimes are executed by organised crime groups in their pursuit of power and profit," Det Supt Telfer said.
"These illegal activities are a threat to Australia's national security and economy, and the AFP is proud to stand with our partner agencies in tackling this threat."
ATO
Assistant Commissioner Pennie Snowden said this is a landmark result for the National Disruption Group and would not be possible without the collaboration of our partner agencies.
"With our resources and capability, this group is taking significant steps forward in putting a stop to illicit tobacco operations and the organised crime syndicates that are behind them."
"'The ATO is committed to tackling illicit tobacco to ensure funds are put back into essential community services rather than into the hands of criminals."
ACIC
Acting National Manager Sarah Noble highlighted the importance of disrupting serious and organised crime exploitation of the illicit tobacco market in Australia, which cost taxpayers $4 billion in 2023-24.
"The ACIC continues to provide unique, actionable and insightful intelligence to inform our partner agencies and assist operations such as those coordinated through the Illicit Tobacco NDG, as we have seen in this successful week of action to disrupt and dismantle the illicit tobacco trade."
AUSTRAC
National Manager Law Enforcement Anthony Helmond said the supply and sale of illicit tobacco in Australia generates billions of dollars in criminal proceeds which are then laundered through Australia's financial system, undermining economic integrity and community safety. These results show how financial intelligence impacts outcomes on the ground.
