Cade Lucas
An Altona Meadows man was among those charged following the seizure of illicit tobacco and vapes valued at approximately $150,000 this week.
Police executed three warrants at a home in Truganina and at a tobacco store and a storage facility in Keysborough on Wednesday, March 13 as part of an ongoing investigation into a criminal syndicate alleged to be importing large amounts of illicit tobacco.
A range of items were seized from the addresses including several hundred packets and cartons of cigarettes, 1000 nicotine pouches, 10 kilograms of loose tobacco and more than 1000 vapes, as well as a quantity of cash receipts and a ledger book.
A 35-year-old Truganina man was arrested and subsequently charged with possessing tobacco products with intent to defraud the revenue and committing an indicatable offence whilst on bail.
The man had previously been arrested and charged in relation to this investigation.
Along with the Truganina man, a 45-year-old Point Cook man, a 40-year-old Tarneit man, a 35-year-old Fraser Rise, a 35-year-old Craigieburn man and a 31-year-old Altona Meadows man, were also arrested and subsequently charged with a range of offences relating to the import of illicit tobacco products.
They will next appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on July 9 and the investigation remains ongoing.
The arrest and seizures form part of Operation Tyers, a joint investigation involving Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Border Force.
Officers from Operation Tyers carried out a series of similar arrests and seizures last month.
Detective Acting Superintendent Dan Ryan from Victoria Police said this week’s warrants demonstrate how criminal syndicates can continue on even after disruption from police.
“The enormous profit that organised crime is making from the sale of illicit tobacco means that they will do everything possible to ensure they keep on trading, no matter the risk,” he said.
“Over the past 12 months we have seen the illicit tobacco market become a significant driver of organised crime here in Victoria and with that has come a series of reckless and violent offending, particularly arson attacks.”
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
