Over $150,000 Worth of Illicit Tobacco and Vapes Seized in Ongoing Criminal Syndicate Investigation
A man has been charged and a significant amount of illicit tobacco and vapes worth approximately $150,000 have been seized by police this week as part of an ongoing investigation into a criminal syndicate. The syndicate is believed to be involved in large-scale importation of illicit tobacco. On Wednesday, 13 March, three warrants were executed at a tobacco store and a storage facility in Keysborough, as well as a residential property in Truganina. The warrants resulted in the seizure of various items, including several hundred packets and cartons of cigarettes, 1000 nicotine pouches, 10kg of loose tobacco, over 1000 vapes, cash receipts, and a ledger book.
A 35-year-old man from Truganina was arrested and charged with possessing tobacco products with intent to defraud the revenue and commit an indictable offence while on bail. This man had previously been arrested and charged in relation to the ongoing investigation. He appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 14 March and was bailed to appear again on 9 July. This arrest and seizure are part of Operation Tyers, a 17-month investigation by the Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (JOCTF) involving members of Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Seconded members of the Australian Border Force (ABF) Illicit Tobacco Taskforce also assisted in the investigation.
Last month, six men were arrested in Melbourne as part of the investigation. It is alleged that some of these men work for freight and transport logistics companies in trusted positions. The men have been linked to a Melbourne-based Middle Eastern organised crime syndicate, suspected of being behind a series of illicit tobacco imports into Victoria. It is also alleged that two of the men had access to internal shipping and transport systems and attempted to manipulate data to evade law enforcement detection. On 27 February, search warrants were executed at a number of businesses and homes in Melbourne’s western suburbs. As part of the investigation, the ABF intercepted 10 million cigarettes in Victoria on 3 February 2024. The cigarettes had an estimated value of approximately $15 million.
In addition to the 35-year-old Truganina man, a 45-year-old man from Point Cook, a 35-year-old man from Fraser Rise, a 31-year-old man from Altona Meadows, a 35-year-old man from Craigieburn, and a 40-year-old man from Tarneit were also arrested and charged with various offences. They are set to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 9 July, and the investigation is ongoing. Detective Acting Superintendent Dan Ryan of Victoria Police stated that the warrants executed this week highlight the ability of these criminal syndicates to continue their activities despite law enforcement disruption. He also emphasized the enormous profits that organised crime is making from the sale of illicit tobacco, which drives them to continue trading despite the risks.
Detective Acting Superintendent David MacGregor of the AFP echoed this sentiment, stating that criminal syndicates will go to extreme lengths to illegally import any commodity that they can make money from. He also warned that anyone involved in the importation, distribution, sale, or purchase of illicit tobacco is supporting organised criminals and funding other illegal activities. Commander Penny Spies of the ABF emphasized the agency’s commitment to tackling the illegal importation of tobacco and making the Australian border a hostile environment for those seeking to engage in criminal behaviour. She also highlighted the importance of working with law enforcement partners such as Victoria Police and the AFP in combating organised crime.
