Wyndham Men Charged in Multi-Million Dollar Illicit Tobacco Syndicate

The syndicate is accused of leasing stores and employing staff as supervisors, managers, and couriers to operate the stores as legitimate gift and confectionary shops, while actually selling illicit tobacco and related products.

Law enforcement officials have obtained transactional records showing that the syndicate made over $30 million in a 12-month period through the sale of illicit tobacco in these stores. The investigation was carried out by Victoria Police, with support from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Australian Border Force’s (ABF) Illicit Tobacco Taskforce, and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

On October 22, police executed over 27 search warrants across Victoria, including at tobacco stores, warehouses, and residential addresses. The search warrants were carried out from 5am, with three industrial properties in Truganina and several residential addresses in Truganina, Hoppers Crossing, Mount Cottrell, Footscray, Glen Waverley, Lara, and Grovedale being searched.

In addition, tobacco stores in Werribee, Dallas Herne Hill, Bell Park, Grovedale, Kensington, Boronia, Ararat, Kyabram, Echuca, and Yarrawonga were also searched. As a result of the searches, a 25-year-old man from Hoppers Crossing was arrested at Melbourne Airport and charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation, possessing tobacco products with intent to defraud the revenue, possessing proceeds of crime, and selling/distributing e-cigarettes.

Four other individuals, including two men from Hoppers Crossing, a woman from Grovedale, and a man from Glen Waverley, were also charged with the same offences. Two other men, a 25-year-old from Hoppers Crossing and a 46-year-old from Ararat, were charged with supporting a criminal organisation and illicit tobacco offences.

A 38-year-old man from Tarneit was arrested while attempting to remove stock from a retail outlet in Werribee. He was also charged with supporting a criminal organisation and illicit tobacco offences. A 50-year-old man from Mount Cotterill was arrested in relation to illicit tobacco and possession of commercial cigarette manufacturing equipment but was released and is expected to be charged on summons.

A 21-year-old man from Yarrawonga was interviewed and released and is also expected to be charged on summons. During the search warrants, police seized a Lamborghini Coupe and Range Rover from the Hoppers Crossing address, as well as at least 600,000 illicit tobacco sticks, over 75kgs of loose-leaf tobacco, and a significant amount of cash from the residential addresses.

Police also seized utilities and vans that they believe were used in the distribution of illicit tobacco. The searches at the tobacco stores are still ongoing, and the total amount of seizures is yet to be confirmed.

The investigation into this organised crime syndicate began in December 2023, with the goal of disrupting the trade of illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes. Victoria Police has identified several state, national, and global organised crime syndicates involved in the illicit tobacco market.

These syndicates are made up of individuals from Middle Eastern organised crime groups and outlaw motorcycle gangs, who then recruit local youth and youth gangs to carry out their illegal activities.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about these incidents or those responsible to come forward, especially store owners and staff. Crime Command Assistant Commissioner Martin O’Brien emphasized that organised crime syndicates and their serious offences linked to the tobacco industry are a top priority for Victoria Police.

He stated, “Those involved have the potential and the propensity to commit serious acts of violence and given their complete disregard for the safety of others, pose a serious risk to the community. Their criminality cannot be tolerated.”