Victoria Police say more than $2 million worth of illicit tobacco products have been seized in centres across regional Victoria, including Shepparton.
Victoria Police say members from the Viper taskforce executed 16 warrants across regional Victoria on Thursday, October 27, as part of the ongoing Taskforce Lunar investigation into organised crime syndicates linked to illicit tobacco.
Police from the Shepparton, Seymour, Yarrawonga and Ballarat crime investigation units, along with representatives from the Australian Taxation Office and Australian Border Force’s Illicit Tobacco Taskforce were also involved in the raids.
A total of 16 stores were raided, including six in Shepparton, one each in Seymour and Yarrawonga and eight in Ballarat.
Police say the raids resulted in the seizure of:
- 39,184 e-cigarettes (vapes) with a street value of more than $1.1 million
- 611,833 cigarettes with duty excise evaded totalling more than $760,000
- 153kg of loose tobacco with duty excise evaded totalling more than $280,000
- More than $16,000 in cash, which police will allege to be the proceeds of crime
The raids across regional Victoria follow 36 warrants being executed on Wednesday, October 18 and Thursday, October 19 at 34 retail outlets and two residential properties across Melbourne.
Police say the metropolitan and regional operations combined have seen total seizures of:
- 92,331 e-cigarettes (vapes), with a street value of over $2.7 million
- 1,324,268 cigarettes with duty excise evaded totalling over $1.6 million
- Approximately 901kg of loose-leaf tobacco with duty excise evaded totalling $1.6 million
- 2kg of cannabis
- 1kg of cocaine
- $42,901 proceeds of crime
- 2 x ASP batons
- industrial tobacco manufacturing equipment
The operations are part of the Taskforce Lunar investigation into organised crime syndicates that police suspect are involved in the illicit tobacco trade and an ongoing dispute for profit.
That dispute is suspected to be linked to a series of arson attacks on tobacco product shops, particularly in Melbourne.
“We have been clear that we will target anyone at any level across the state who is involved in the distribution and sale of illicit tobacco, and that involves regional Victoria,” Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly, of the State Anti-Gangs Division, said.
“There can be a perception that it is easier to hide in the country, where people might mistakenly believe they are safe from being targeted and out of constant law enforcement attention. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
“As long as people’s lives remain at risk due to this heightened criminal activity, we will continue to do absolutely everything we can to deter, disrupt and dismantle these syndicates.”
Investigators continue to appeal to people with information linked to the investigations, including store owners and staff, to come forward.
“We are committed to disrupting organised crime syndicates that produce and supply illicit tobacco for sale in Australia,” Australian Taxation Office Acting Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Fealy said.
“Illicit tobacco retailers gain an unfair price advantage over honest businesses who do the right thing. We actively work with our partner agencies to stamp out these retailers.
“The success of these operations would not be possible without our officers, who work tirelessly and diligently to detect, disrupt and dismantle organised crime syndicates who use profits from illicit tobacco to fund other more serious crimes.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au