Nearly $1 million of illicit tobacco has been taken off South Australian streets in the past fortnight as the state cracks down.
Consumer and Business Services seized approximately $630,000 worth of illicit products, while SAPOL seized approximately $300,000 worth of illicit tobacco and vapes as part of its investigations.
The seizures bring the total amount seized since 1 July to almost $2 million. This includes 1.2 million cigarettes, almost a tonne of tobacco, more than 300kg of shisha and almost 15,000 vapes.
SAPOL and Consumer and Business Services have also linked 11 arson attacks to the sale of illicit tobacco and have launched Operation Eclipse to investigate these attacks along with other criminal offences being committed by those involved in the sale of illicit tobacco.
Andrea Michaels, Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, said they will not tolerate the threat posed to communities by the criminals involved in the illegal tobacco shops.
“It’s bad enough the damage they are willing to do to people’s health but the escalation of arson and violence over the past few weeks is extremely concerning.
“The government will continue to raid these businesses, get these products off the streets and do everything we can to put these people out of business.”
Dan Cregan, Minister for Police, said SA Police is working with Consumer and Business Services to detect and disrupt criminals engaged in the illicit tobacco trade.
“Serious offending involving arson, assaults and money laundering risks public safety and SAPOL continues to target those who exploit others for their own gain.
“Intelligence shared by police and support provided for high-risk raids form a critical part of efforts to crack down on this illegal market.”
The SA Government launched a new $16 million dedicated taskforce within Consumer and Business Services, which commenced on 1 July. Since then, the government has introduced significantly higher penalties of up to $1.5 million relating to the sale and use of vapes and tobacco products to Parliament.
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