Police have raided three businesses and a home in the Whitsunday region allegedly seizing illegal vapes and $500,000 worth of tobacco.
Key points:
- Police say they responded to reports from community members that businesses were allegedly selling to teens in school uniform
- 100kg of illicit tobacco and thousands of vapes were allegedly found at three businesses and a house in Mackay and Airlie Beach
- A man and a woman have been charged with possessing tainted property
Police allege 100 kilograms of illicit tobacco, thousands of illegal smoking products and $80,000 in cash were discovered during the raids.
Vapes with nicotine are illegal in Queensland unless supplied through a pharmacist or on a Therapeutic Goods Administration prescription.
Mackay Whitsunday District Detective Inspector Emma Novosel said four raids took place on February 10, at businesses on The Esplanade in Airlie Beach, Celeber Drive at Andergrove and Carl Court at Rural View in Mackay, and a house in West Mackay.
She said the raids followed multiple reports from the community of vapes allegedly being sold to children.
A 32-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man have been charged with possession of tainted property.
They are expected to appear in Mackay Magistrates Court on March 13.
Alleged child customers
Detective Inspector Novosel said police were working with other agencies, including Queensland Health and Border Force, to lay further charges and determine where the products came from.
“[Vapes] are designed to be attractive to young people, they’re in bright coloured packages and they have sweet flavours … but the chemicals are damaging to a young person’s development so it’s a really great outcome,” she said.
Detective Inspector Novosel said the man and woman charged were the alleged operators of the three raided businesses.
“The operation was aimed to … send a clear message that such activity, including the sale of tobacco and smoking products to children, will not be tolerated in Mackay Whitsunday District.
“We urge anyone with information in relation to the possession of illicit tobacco or non-compliant products to contact police.”
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