2 days ago
Millions of illegal cigarettes and smoking products seized in Mackay warehouse raid
Millions of illegal cigarettes, vapes and loose-leaf tobacco have been seized in what health authorities say is one of the largest hauls from a single raid in Queensland.
The seizure at a Mackay warehouse last week included boxes containing 3.3 million cigarettes, nearly 20,000 vapes and 300 kilograms of illegal "chop chop" tobacco.
The state government said the combined police and public health unit operation was a signal that illegal shops run by criminal gangs could no longer hide.
"Queensland is leading the nation when it comes to cracking down on these illegal traders because we are determined to keep dangerous vapes out of the hands of Queensland kids," Health Minister Tim Nicholls said.
Mackay Hospital and Health Service chief executive Susan Gannon said investigations were continuing into other illegal operators across Mackay and the Whitsundays.
The health minister's office said the seized materials will be "forfeited to the state" and the Mackay Public Health Unit is expected to issue fines.
Fines for illegal tobacco retailers were increased in April to more than $32,000 for individuals and $161,300 for corporations.
State MP for Mackay and former police officer Nigel Dalton said the scale of the raid was extraordinary.
"Only in Mackay we've got 3.3 million [illegal cigarettes]," he said.
While the seizures would have disrupted local supply, he said demand was still there.
"There's a lot of disposable income in Mackay and there are people who smoke these products," he said.
"I'm pleading with the public to let CrimeStoppers know if you know anyone who's bringing these products into Queensland."
Australian Association of Convenience Stores chief executive Theo Foukkare said while law-abiding tobacco shops largely had not been targeted by fire-bombings, the impact of the illegal tobacco and vape trade was unmistakable.
He said the confluence between the illegal tobacco and vape market and the increased demand for both products had become a potent incentive for organised crime groups.
"The most frustrating part for legal retailers is 10 years ago the illegal tobacco market was sort of dark," Mr Foukkare said.
"This is [now] happening in plain sight in communities all around the country with signs out the front saying 'cheap smokes', signs saying 'vapes here'."
