Raids across regional South Australia have netted more than $1.5 million in illicit tobacco products as the government cracks down.
Consumer and Business Services has conducted close to 20 inspections of both licenced and unlicensed businesses in the state’s Mid North and Yorke Peninsula over the past few weeks, resulting in the seizure of nearly 470,000 cigarettes, nearly 150 kilograms of pouch tobacco and a small number of vapes and shisha products.
Andrea Michaels, Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, said they will not tolerate the threat posed to the community by the criminals involved in these illegal tobacco shops.
“These raids are the largest operations in regional South Australia to date and we will continue to raid tobacco shops right around the state to get these illicit products off our streets and out of our communities.
“No matter where you are operating in South Australia, if you are selling illicit tobacco and vapes, you will be caught and prosecuted.”
The illicit tobacco and vapes, all of which was seized from unlicensed stores, was valued at approximately $450,000.
SA Police has also been out in regional South Australia seizing tobacco inside trucks at Tailem Bend, Monteith and Port Augusta in the past week. The three seizures resulted in more than $1 million of loose tobacco, cigarettes and vapes meant for sale in SA being kept off the streets.
“The level of product seized shows we are making inroads on this and we will continue to work in partnership with state and federal agencies including SAPOL and Border Force to crack down on the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes throughout South Australia,” said Michaels.
Dan Cregan, Member for Kavel, said enforcement action to date emphasises how seriously this issue is being taken by police and state agencies.
SA Police is continuing to work with Consumer and Business Services to ensure our state is as difficult as possible for criminal groups to operate in and sell their illegal products.
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