THE AUSTRALIAN Border Force seized $48.8 million worth of cigarettes and tobacco at its NSW container examination facility over the long weekend.
The ABF detected 28 million illicit cigarettes and 9762 kilograms of tobacco across multiple shipments.
The consignments, shipped from China, Singapore and Korea, were declared as containing items including toilet paper, sofas and car scanners.
The ABF said the shipments were not linked to one particular criminal syndicate.
ABF Superintendent Jared Leighton said the ABF had identified the people behind the shipments.
“Tobacco and cigarette smuggling is not a victimless crime – with profits from illegal sales in Australia often being used to fund other criminal activity both here and overseas,” Supt Leighton said.
“We have seen several prison sentences handed out here in NSW relating to illicit tobacco and this should serve as a significant deterrent to those who are involved with this type of activity.
“These massive seizures highlight the ABF’s commitment to tackling the illegal importation of tobacco and prove once again that we are making the Australian border a hostile environment for those seeking to conduct criminal behaviour.”
The penalties for smuggling tobacco are severe and can include up to 10 years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of up to five times the amount of duty evaded.
The ABF encouraged anyone with information about the importation and export of illicit tobacco or cigarettes to contact Border Watch. It noted information can be provided anonymously.
