David Hurley
January 24, 2018
Herald Sun
THREE people have been arrested over a highly organised tobacco smuggling syndicate operating through Melbourne Airport.
Australian Border Force officers began investigating a large number of passengers arriving from South-East Asian ports based on intelligence gathered from previous operations.
Over the course of the probe more than 40 people were identified bringing in large amounts of illegal tobacco packed in suitcases.
In total, more than one million cigarettes with a potential street value of $682,500 were detected.
Three men have been arrested over a highly organised tobacco smuggling syndicate operating through Melbourne Airport.
Last Friday officers carried out a raid at a property in Docklands linked to one of the alleged ringleaders of the smuggling ring.
Officers seized 107,000 cigarettes, $260,000 in cash, a laptop and a number of other luxury items.
A 33-year-old-man who was at the property was charged with possessing and conveying tobacco products and with knowing the goods were imported with intent to defraud the revenue.
He will next face court on 11 May 2018.
In total, more than one million cigarettes with a potential street value of $682,500 were detected.
The following day a 54-year-old woman and 30-year-old woman, who the ABF allege are also part of the syndicate, were arrested attempting to leave Melbourne Airport.
It will be alleged they imported two suitcases filled with 52,000 illicit cigarettes on January 19.
Craig Palmer, the ABF’s Acting Regional Commander in Victoria, said the arrests showed the ABF’s commitment to stopping criminals importing illicit tobacco.
“The Tobacco Strike Team’s sole focus is targeting, investigating and prosecuting the most serious and organised elements of the illicit tobacco trade, including their global supply chains,” he said.
Over the course of the probe more than 40 individuals were identified bringing in large amounts of illicit tobacco packed in suitcases.
“We know the illicit tobacco trade is an attractive market for organised criminal syndicates due to the lucrative profits that can be made in evaded tax, and that these profits are often channelled back into organised crime or other criminal activity.
“No matter how lucrative the illicit tobacco trade is, the Tobacco Strike Team is making significant inroads in tackling the criminal syndicates involved — last financial year we detected more than 123 million illicit cigarettes and 64 tonnes of tobacco.”
Investigations into the alleged tobacco syndicate are ongoing.
The maximum penalty for tobacco smuggling is ten years in prison.
Financial penalties of up to five times the amount of duty evaded can also be imposed by the courts.
Investigations into the alleged tobacco syndicate are ongoing.
People with information about the illicit importation of tobacco should contact Border Watch at homeaffairs.gov.au/borderwatch
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