Victorian police have seized illegal tobacco and vaping products worth millions of dollars in a week-long crackdown targeting organised crime syndicates linked to the illicit tobacco trade.
From 7–11 April, detectives from the VIPER Taskforce executed warrants at 12 tobacco stores across Melbourne as part of an ongoing investigation by Taskforce Lunar. They were supported by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Police allege the stores, located in suburbs including Broadmeadows, Craigieburn, and Hawthorn, are connected to two organised crime groups.
The operation resulted in the seizure of:
- 14,593 vapes valued at over $729,000 in potential profit
- 681,368 cigarettes with $953,915 in excise avoided
- Over 305kg of loose-leaf tobacco worth $650,388 in excise avoided
- More than $22,500 in cash
- Three conducted electricity devices and one baton
Fourteen people were arrested and interviewed in relation to offences including possession of tobacco and proceeds of crime. They are expected to be charged on summons.
Justin Shields, Detective Acting Inspector of the VIPER Taskforce, said the warrants this week in support of the Taskforce Lunar investigation into the operation of these crime syndicates are a strong demonstration of state and Commonwealth agencies coming together to target the issue of illicit tobacco in every way possible.
“We have been clear that this is no longer about simply the investigation of the individual incidents – this is about doing absolutely everything we can to deter, disrupt and dismantle these syndicates and those at the helm of them.
“This is about doing absolutely everything we can to deter, disrupt and dismantle these syndicates and those at the helm of them.”
This follows a similar operation in November and December 2024, where police seized over 582,000 cigarettes, 745kg of loose-leaf tobacco, $131,000 in cash, and more than 3,400 e-cigarettes across Victoria.
Jade Hawkins, Assistant Commissioner at the ATO, said these arrests and the seizure of illicit tobacco products demonstrate the ATO’s ongoing commitment to supporting our partners in removing it from the community while creating a level playing field for legitimate businesses.
“We’ll continue to work with our partners to detect, disrupt and dismantle the organised crime syndicates who are using profits from selling illicit tobacco to fund other serious illegal activities.”
Victoria Police said it will continue to work with federal and state agencies including the Australian Border Force (ABF), Australian Federal Police (AFP), ATO, TGA and interstate counterparts.
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there are 12 tobacconists in Sunbury alone all of which are selling nicotine vapes and illicit tobacco.
i also watched 4 policemen buy illegal product in a store the main gift and tobacco store in Faulkner.
are all these stores protected????