More than 365,000 illicit cigarettes have been seized from four Tasmanian freight facilities in a national crackdown on illegal tobacco and vapes.
Tobacco control officers from the Department of Health, backed by Tasmania Police, carried out the raids during a week of action from June 15 to 19.
They targeted freight forwarding facilities at St Leonards in Launceston and at Bridgewater, Goodwood and Mornington in the south.
Officers also seized about 156 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco and more than 1,600 vaping devices.
The Tasmanian raids were part of Operation TEMPEST, led by the Australian Border Force’s National Disruption Group.
The operation also ran in Victoria, where most of the haul was seized and seven persons of interest were identified.
Across both states, agencies seized about two million illicit cigarettes, more than 1.97 tonnes of loose-leaf tobacco and more than 7,000 vaping devices and accessories.
In Victoria, officers also seized more than $71,000 in cash and collected more than $76,000 in debt from 107 outstanding warrants.
Authorities estimate about $7.9 million in duty was evaded.
Detective Inspector Troy Morrisby from Tasmania Police’s Crime and Intelligence Command said police were working with other agencies to dismantle the criminal networks behind the trade.
“Tasmania Police continues to work closely with our enforcement partners to dismantle the criminal networks driving the illicit tobacco and vaping trade,” he said.
“[We are] targeting offenders and seizing not only illegal products, but also the cash associated with the sale of those products, to hold those responsible to account.”
Department of Health Public Health Services chief executive George Clarke said authorities would keep targeting illicit tobacco and vapes in Tasmania.
“This national disruption group-led week of action is an example of the impact this approach can have on disrupting illicit operators, who aim to undermine public health measures designed to reduce smoking rates and prevent uptake, particularly among our young people,” he said.
