Queensland raids take out $5.1m in illicit tobacco


ATO and Queensland Police officers executed warrants on two commercial units in Berrinba, allegedly finding and seizing approximately 291,000 cigarettes. (ATO)

Authorities have seized an illegal bounty of 291,000 cigarettes and 3026 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco after swooping on multiple properties in Queensland last week.
Working alongside Queensland Police, Australian Taxation Office agents uncovered the illicit tobacco in an operation that hit three properties in Logan, south Brisbane.

Officers from the ATO and Queensland Police searched two commercial units in Berrinba last Wednesday, where they discovered almost 300,000 cigarettes and around 2000 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, known on the streets as “chop-chop”.

A residential address in Crestmead was also raided, with a further 1026 kilograms of “chop-chop” allegedly seized. The illicit tobacco had a total estimated foregone excise value of $5.16 million, the ATO said.

“This is a significant result,” the office’s Acting Assistant Commissioner Megan Croaker said.”Close to 300,000 cigarettes is a lot of illicit and unregulated tobacco that’s been taken off our streets.
“She said the operation should “serve as a warning” to anyone involved in any part of the illicit tobacco trade.”Illicit tobacco is not victimless,” she said.

The ATO said it is primarily focused on targeting the source of illicit tobacco supply.
The ATO said it is primarily focused on targeting the source of illicit
tobacco supply. (ATO)

Tobacco taxes can be used to fund community services such as health and education, she said.Last month ATO agents busted a large, illegal tobacco farm in Koraleigh, in the Riverina region of New South Wales. The crop of tobacco would have yielded 250,000 kilograms of product, the ATO said, worth a staggering $42 million in lost taxes.

Agents also allegedly found  around 2000 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, commonly known as 'chop-chop'.
Agents also allegedly found around 2000 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, commonly known as ‘chop-chop’. (ATO)

It has been illegal to grow tobacco in Australia for more than a decade. Penalties for growing, selling or possessing illicit tobacco are significant, with criminals facing up to 10 years’ imprisonment and fines starting at $333,000.


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