AUSTRALIAN Border Force officers say they have seized about 3.6 million cigarettes and more than five tonnes of loose-leaf tobacco during raids in Sydney's west and north.
ABF Regional Investigations NSW began an investigation in January 2026, after a consignment of about 10 tonnes of illicit tobacco was detected at the ABF's Port Botany facility.
This consignment was then linked to three previous consignments allegedly containing “millions of illicit cigarettes”.
The ABF alleges the criminal syndicate used several business names to import illicit tobacco, then moved the consignments to a storage unit at Auburn.
Earlier this month, ABF agents raided multiple locations in Sydney, including an address in South Strathfield, and a storage unit in Auburn.
At the storage unit, officers seized:
Two men, aged 25 and 47, who were found to be unlawful non-citizens and were later detained.
During the Strathfield raid, officers seized $263,000 cash, 400 illicit cigarettes, and digital devices which will undergo.
Further raids occurred at Chipping Norton and Rydalmere on Friday 13 March, with officers seizing more than one million cigarettes and more than 17kg of loose tobacco.
Superintendent Shaun Baker said profits from illicit tobacco and cigarette smuggling often fuelled serious criminality here and overseas.
“This operation highlights the ABF's commitment to shutting down illicit tobacco networks,” Supt Baker said.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated case, a Sydney man has faced court regarding a failed methamphetamine importation.
A Blacktown man appeared before Blacktown Local Court this week charged with attempting to possess 20kg of pure methamphetamine hidden inside wooden pallets in a shipping container.
Pure methamphetamine was discovered inside
wooden pallets. Image: NSW Police, AFP and ABF
An AFP investigation began in September last year after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted 20kg of pure methamphetamine in a sea-cargo consignment from Malaysia.
ABF officers x-rayed the container and discovered methamphetamine concealed within 25 packages in nine wooden pallets. The drugs were removed from the pallets and substituted with another material.
The man was charged on 18 March.
The man was refused bail and will next appear in the Downing Centre Local Court on 13 May, 2026.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Trevor Robinson said if sold, this amount of methamphetamine could have equated to 200,000 street level deals.
“We’re proud to have stopped drug profits going into the pockets of criminals.”
NSW Police Force Detective State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad Commander, Superintendent John Watson, said the joint effort was crucial to protect the community.
“Drug syndicates are not restricted by borders, so it is vital that we show through these operations that law enforcement is not restricted either,” Supt Watson said.