Police executed three warrants in Werribee and Altona Meadows linked to the investigation into the cultivation and distribution of illicit tobacco in eastern Victoria.
The authorities have seized over $12 million worth of illicit tobacco in relation to this investigation.
This was a joint operation of the Australia Taxation Office and Lunar Taskforce police.
On June 17, three warrants were executed in Werribee and Altona Meadows.
Approximately 50,000 illicit tobacco sticks, 30kg of loose-leaf tobacco, vapes and a CCTV system were seized from the Werribee addresses – one residential address and one tobacco store.
A 36-year-old Werribee man, believed to own the Werribee store, was interviewed on Wednesday, June 26, in relation to possessing and producing illicit tobacco.
He is expected to be charged on summons.
Mobile phones were seized from the residential Altona Meadows address.
The search warrants followed the seizure of a seven-acre tobacco crop, worth a total avoided excise value of almost $9million, and with a dried weight of over four and a half tonnes, from a property in Arcadia on March 26.
Police also seized two tonner of dried illicit tobacco, worth in excess of $3.5million, from an Undera address on May 7. Two large kilns were located at the rear of the property which investigators will allege were utilised to dry illicit tobacco.
Police will allege the properties searched are linked to a significant leader of an organised crime syndicate involved in the illicit tobacco network.
State Anti-Gangs division detective acting superintendent Mark Hatt said, “We have made it absolutely clear that we will target anyone at any level across the state who is involved in the distribution and sale of illicit tobacco, and that involves regional Victoria.
“These seizures – and their potential value in avoided excise – are significant, and their impact will no doubt be felt by the organised crime groups operating in Victoria. They will also provide further avenues of enquiry for Victoria Police.”
ATO assistant commissioner Jade Hawkins said, “The success of these significant operations has required the close collaboration of law enforcement agencies at all levels of government to detect, disrupt and dismantle organised crime syndicates who use profits from illicit tobacco to fund other more serious illegal activities.
“Engaging in the illicit tobacco trade is a serious offence and is far from victimless. These crimes are calculated, deliberate, and take vital funding from essential community services such as healthcare and education.
“Illicit tobacco retailers gain an unfair price advantage over honest businesses who do the right thing. Removing illegal tobacco from crop to the shop creates a level playing field for those small businesses.”
