Latest news with #OperationEclipse
9 News
4 days ago
- Business
- 9 News
'Like a bomb': Innocent businesses caught up in arson attack
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Innocent Adelaide business owners have been left devastated after being caught up in a western suburbs arson attack, sparking a police investigation into potential links to the illegal tobacco trade. The arson attack about 3am in Findon saw flames engulf a store named Vapen before spreading to nearby businesses. Security camera footage captured a bright glow emanating from the Findon Road store and a black sedan departing the scene shortly thereafter. The aftermath of an arson attack about Findon Road in Adelaide on Monday, August 11, 2025. (9News) The blaze was so intense that more than 40 firefighters responded to the scene and eventually brought the fire under control. However, three stores sustained significant fire and smoke damage. "I heard just a big noise... like a bomb explosion… it was a scary thing, I thought the whole thing was exploding," one resident said. The owners of the nearby businesses caught up in the fire are now grappling with the aftermath. "All the ceiling and roof has been damaged, there's a lot of water damage in there," Sam Pokala, the owner of the local Domino's franchise, said. Innocent business owners in Adelaide have been caught up in a western suburbs arson attack. (9News) "It's a huge financial impact on me and my family." The owner of Jade Nail Spa indicated she had been building the business for two years and now faces the prospect of starting over. "She works really hard, every time I go past she just works non-stop... I really feel for her, hopefully she can rebuild," Zoe Pledger from the neighbouring Fluff and Stuff Dog Style said Fire cause investigators and detectives spent today examining the scene. Police are investigating a possible connection to the illegal tobacco trade, with Operation Eclipse detectives involved in the inquiry. Authorities are appealing to the public for any information related to the incident. This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress . Adelaide national Australia South Australia crime Arson fires 9ExPress CONTACT US Auto news: Honda here to stay in Australia, announces growth plans.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Record $7m tobacco haul as police target crime assets
A random traffic stop has led police to a record $7.3 million haul of tobacco at a suburban warehouse that was supplying the booming illicit market. SA police seized illegal tobacco and vape products from a truck on the Lincoln Highway at Whyalla on May 6. This led officers to a warehouse in the Adelaide suburb of Salisbury, which is alleged to have been supplying retail outlets across the state with illicit tobacco products, Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby said. A $7.3 million haul of cigarettes and tobacco was found in a warehouse in suburban Adelaide. More than seven million cigarettes and 3.9 tonnes of loose tobacco were seized, valued at $7.3 million. Packages of loose tobacco, or "chop chop", were found in 12 large freezers, showing the extent of the distribution centre that was supplying the metropolitan and rural areas in South Australia, Chief Insp Featherby said. He said organised crime syndicates had been dealt a major blow with police restraining $22.8 million in assets, including more than $9 million in cash from two bank accounts. Police will seek forfeiture orders on assets including houses, vehicles and silver bullion restrained under the Criminal Assets Confiscation Act. "One of the keys for Operation Eclipse is actually disrupting the financial operations of these criminal syndicates trying to establish in the South Australian market," Chief Insp Featherby said. Officers have searched 186 premises and seized illicit tobacco products valued at $25.3 million. Two men have been charged over the latest haul and there have been a total of 37 arrests for offences including blackmail, possessing tobacco products for sale, arson, money laundering and serious criminal trespass. Operation Eclipse, formed in September 2024 to investigate serious criminal offending linked to tobacco and vape sales, is collaborating with federal and interstate law enforcement agencies that are also fighting the illicit trade. There have been more than 100 firebombings in Victoria in two years, while seven men have been arrested across Sydney over the theft of illegal cigarettes and tobacco in the past year. Queensland is the latest state to record a rise in the violent attacks on tobacconists and police have raided dozens of premises in the past two months. In March, the federal government committed $157 million to federal health, crime and tax agencies across two years to strengthen enforcement and target crime gangs. SA Police have had "excellent public support", receiving more than 400 calls to Crime Stoppers, Chief Insp Featherby said. "We're still after the locations where illicit tobacco is being stored, and information relating to anybody that may be helping facilitate the criminal activity," he said.
Perth Now
12-05-2025
- Perth Now
Record $7m tobacco haul as police target crime assets
A random traffic stop has led police to a record $7.3 million haul of tobacco at a suburban warehouse that was supplying the booming illicit market. SA police seized illegal tobacco and vape products from a truck on the Lincoln Highway at Whyalla on May 6. This led officers to a warehouse in the Adelaide suburb of Salisbury, which is alleged to have been supplying retail outlets across the state with illicit tobacco products, Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby said. A $7.3 million haul of cigarettes and tobacco was found in a warehouse in suburban Adelaide. More than seven million cigarettes and 3.9 tonnes of loose tobacco were seized, valued at $7.3 million. Packages of loose tobacco, or "chop chop", were found in 12 large freezers, showing the extent of the distribution centre that was supplying the metropolitan and rural areas in South Australia, Chief Insp Featherby said. He said organised crime syndicates had been dealt a major blow with police restraining $22.8 million in assets, including more than $9 million in cash from two bank accounts. Police will seek forfeiture orders on assets including houses, vehicles and silver bullion restrained under the Criminal Assets Confiscation Act. "One of the keys for Operation Eclipse is actually disrupting the financial operations of these criminal syndicates trying to establish in the South Australian market," Chief Insp Featherby said. Officers have searched 186 premises and seized illicit tobacco products valued at $25.3 million. Two men have been charged over the latest haul and there have been a total of 37 arrests for offences including blackmail, possessing tobacco products for sale, arson, money laundering and serious criminal trespass. Operation Eclipse, formed in September 2024 to investigate serious criminal offending linked to tobacco and vape sales, is collaborating with federal and interstate law enforcement agencies that are also fighting the illicit trade. There have been more than 100 firebombings in Victoria in two years, while seven men have been arrested across Sydney over the theft of illegal cigarettes and tobacco in the past year. Queensland is the latest state to record a rise in the violent attacks on tobacconists and police have raided dozens of premises in the past two months. In March, the federal government committed $157 million to federal health, crime and tax agencies across two years to strengthen enforcement and target crime gangs. SA Police have had "excellent public support", receiving more than 400 calls to Crime Stoppers, Chief Insp Featherby said. "We're still after the locations where illicit tobacco is being stored, and information relating to anybody that may be helping facilitate the criminal activity," he said.
ABC News
12-05-2025
- ABC News
Police seize millions of cigarettes, tonnes of tobacco in SA raids
South Australian police say organised crime syndicates have been dealt a major blow after the seizure of more than $22 million in assets, including $9m in cash, in recent raids. Eyre Western Police stopped a vehicle at about 12pm on May 6 on the Lincoln Highway at Whyalla and allegedly located a large quantity of illicit tobacco products. Further investigation led Operation Eclipse detectives to search an industrial premises at Salisbury, in Adelaide's northern suburbs, which was allegedly being used as a statewide distribution warehouse supplying retail outlets with illicit tobacco products. Police say they seized more than seven million cigarettes and 3.9 tonnes of loose tobacco valued at more than $7m. Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby said the confiscation of products, assets and finances would result in "significant disruption to the criminal syndicates operating in South Australia". The bust follows a $1.5m seizure of illegal tobacco and $444,000 in cash in Mid North and Eyre Peninsula raids in April. Premises at Port Pirie, Port Augusta, Whyalla and Port Lincoln were targeted in the raids that took place between April 1 and April 3. Chief Inspector Featherby said police would pursue criminal charges when sufficient evidence had been gathered. "That includes those who are supporting and enabling that activity … [police will] take every opportunity to enforce the full extent of the confiscations legislation to seize assets of those involved," he said. A 24-year-old Prospect man was arrested in Whyalla and charged with possession of tobacco and e-cigarette products for sale and possession. He has been granted bail and is expected to appear in Whyalla Magistrates Court on July 22. A Para Hills home was also searched as part of the investigation and a 51-year-old local was arrested. He was charged with possession of tobacco products for sale and bailed to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on June 17.
Herald Sun
30-04-2025
- Herald Sun
Port Augusta tobacco bust leads to two arrests, nearly $2m in vapes seized
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Two men have been arrested after vapes and illegal tobacco worth millions was seized by police in a traffic stop at Port Augusta last week. Police pulled over a refrigerated truck during a drug transit route operation at Port Augusta about 4.30pm on April 25. They allegedly uncovered more than $1.74m in vapes, $26,000 in loose tobacco leaf and $80,100 cash after speaking to the occupants of the truck. The items were seized by police officers from Far North Local Service Area, Traffic Services Branch and Serious and Organised Crime Branch. Two men from New South Wales, aged 32 and 62, were arrested and charged with unlawful possession and possession of tobacco products for sale. They appeared in Port Augusta Magistrates Court on April 28, where they were remanded in custody to next appear in court in July. The truck was seized and will be the subject of confiscations proceedings. The incident is now being investigated under Operation Eclipse, SAPOL's anti-illegal tobacco arm. Operation Eclipse Commander, Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby said the seizure highlighted the risk to syndicates trying to transport illicit tobacco around the country. 'Organised crime syndicates transporting illicit tobacco through transit routes in regional areas will be subject to a whole of SAPOL response to disrupt their criminal activity and financial operations,' Mr Featherby said. 'SAPOL will pursue criminal charges when sufficient evidence exists and that includes those who are supporting and enabling that activity and take every opportunity to enforce the full extent of the confiscations legislation to seize assets of those involved,' he said. So far, there have been 35 arrests, 184 premises searched, and more than $2.2m in cash, three firearms and $17.97m in tobacco products seized, under Operation Eclipse. Police are urging anyone with any information on criminal activities surrounding the sale of illicit tobacco to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Originally published as Nearly $2m in vapes, illicit tobacco seized, two NSW men charged after truck pulled over at Port Augusta
