Police have uncovered an illicit tobacco importation operation and charged one man following the execution of nine search warrants in Sydney's south west today.
In May 2020, Strike Force Polar was established to investigate mid-level crime and drug supply activity within the Bankstown Police Area Command.
About 10am on Monday 13 July 2020, police searched a Silver Toyota Camry on Cory Avenue in Padstow, seizing more than $9,000 in cash, as well as three parcels containing 21.6 kilograms of loose tobacco and 375 packets of cigarettes.
The driver, a 40-year-old man, was released pending further investigations.
At 6.40am today (Friday 31 July 2020), officers attached to Bankstown Police Area Command, with the assistance of South West Metropolitan OSG, executed a search warrant at a home on Cory Avenue, Padstow, and arrested a 40-year-old man.
Upon searching the home, police seized almost $5,000 in cash, 10 kilograms of loose tobacco and ATM deposit receipts totalling close to $280,000 in funds deposited in the last seven days.
With assistance from St George Police Area Command and SWM OSG, from 8am today (Friday 31 July 2020), a further eight search warrants were executed at self-storage units in Revesby, Padstow, Bexley, Kingsgrove, Canterbury and Annandale.
During the searches, police located and seized 50 kilograms of loose tobacco and 16,230 packets of cigarettes, totalling 324,600 cigarettes.
The man was taken to Bankstown Police Station where he was charged with two counts of import tobacco products with intent to defraud revenue, two counts of convey etc tobacco products know of intent defraud revenue, three counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, two counts of goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle), knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
Police will allege the man was involved in the importation and distribution of illegal tobacco products across Metropolitan Sydney and the receipts are solely from the sale of illicit tobacco products.
The man was refused bail and is due to appear in Parramatta Local Court tomorrow (Saturday 1 August 2020).
Inquiries continue.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
