Australia seizes 1.7 million illegal cigarettes and more than 9,500 vapes
In Australia, the border force seized more than 1.7 million illegal cigarettes, 504 kg of loose-leaf tobacco and over 9,500 vapes during a joint operation in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. As ABC News Australia reports, Operation Tempest covered 66 locations.
According to the Australian Border Force, the value of the seized goods on the illicit market exceeds $814,000, while unpaid taxes amount to almost $4 million. During the six-day operation late last month, law enforcement identified 66 people of interest and also applied to close 15 stores.
Raids in the Northern Territory
In Darwin and Katherine, inspectors from NT Health and the Australian Taxation Office checked 13 sites. More than 300,000 cigarettes, 306 kg of loose-leaf tobacco, over 1,560 vapes and nearly 3,000 oral nicotine pouches were seized there.
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The locations inspected included two car dealerships, a petrol station, eight stores, a postal warehouse and a residential house in Stuart Park. Law enforcement officers also found electronic devices, New South Wales number plates and drug-related items.
Seizures in Western Australia
In Western Australia, health officials checked 45 retail stores. Border Force officers raided four warehouse facilities, two postal facilities, a house and a shipping container in a rural area around Perth, Mariginiup and Margaret River.
More than 1.46 million cigarettes, 197 kg of loose-leaf tobacco, 7,900 vapes, 1,000 cigars, 3,360 nicotine pouches and 4 kg of MDMA were seized there. As part of the operation, agents also screened passengers on 22 international flights for illegal tobacco. As of the day of the report, there had been no arrests or charges in the two jurisdictions.
