A tobacco shop in Seymour was one of 16 stores in regional Victoria to be raided by Victoria Police’s VIPER taskforce last week.
The warrants on Thursday were part of the ongoing Taskforce Lunar investigation into organised crime syndicates linked to illicit tobacco.
Taskforce members were joined by police from the Shepparton, Seymour, Yarrawonga and Ballarat crime investigation units, along with representatives from the Australian Tax Office and the Australian Border Force’s Illicit Tobacco Taskforce.
Six tobacco stores in Shepparton, as well as stores in Yarrawonga and Ballarat, were part of the raids.
As a result, the following was seized:
- 39,184 e-cigarettes (vapes) with a street value of more than $1.1 million;
- 611,833 cigarettes with duty excise evaded totalling more than $760,000;
- 153kg of loose tobacco with duty excise evaded totalling more than $280,000; and
- More than $16,000 cash, which police will allege to be the proceeds of crime.
An additional 36 warrants at 34 retail outlets and two residential properties across Melbourne, including a property at Beveridge, were executed on October 18 and 19.
Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly, from the State Anti-Gangs Division, said the taskforce would target anyone at any level across the state who was involved in the distribution and sale of illicit tobacco.
“There can be a perception that it is easier to hide in the country, where people might mistakenly believe they are safe from being targeted and out of constant law enforcement attention. That couldn’t be further from the truth,” he said.
“As long as people’s lives remain at risk due to this heightened criminal activity, we will continue to do absolutely everything we can to deter, disrupt and dismantle these syndicates.”
Investigators continue to appeal to anyone, especially store owners and staff, who has information about the illegal tobacco trade and who is responsible to come forward. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
