The Campaspe Crime Investigation Unit charged three people on Wednesday, August 28, after around $130,800 worth of illicit tobacco was seized in Echuca and Kyabram.
Search warrants were executed at stores on Pakenham St and Hare St, Echuca, as well as Allan St, Kyabram.
Around 86,000 sticks of illicit tobacco, 680 vapes and 36kg of loose tobacco was seized across the three stores.
The 240 Pakenham St store was previously searched last Thursday, August 22, where around 100,000 sticks of illicit tobacco, more than 660 vapes and approximately 8kg of loose tobacco was seized.
An Echuca woman, 60, has been charged with two counts of possessing tobacco products with intent of defrauding the revenue and dealing with property suspected to be the proceeds of crime.
She was bailed to appear at Echuca Magistrates’ Court in November.
A Hoppers Crossing man, 24, was charged with two counts of possessing tobacco products with intent of defrauding the revenue and dealing with property suspected to be the proceeds of crime.
A Roxburgh Park man, 73, was charged with two counts of possessing tobacco products with intent of defrauding the revenue, possessing schedule four poison, dealing with property suspected to be the proceeds of crime and advertising e-cigarettes.
Both men were bailed to appear at Echuca Magistrates’ Court in December.
On Thursday, August 22, a Tarneit man, 25, and a Pakenham man, 50, were arrested for tobacco-related offences. They will also face Echuca Magistrates’ Court in December.
Anyone with information on illicit tobacco activity should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au