Latest news with #illegalcigarettes
ABC News
18 hours ago
- Health
- ABC News
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'."
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Thousands of illegal vapes and cigarettes seized in Erdington
Thousands of illegal cigarettes and vapes have been seized during raids at two shops in Birmingham on raids, in Erdington, were a joint operation between West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council's trading standards came about following intelligence from the local community, and uncovered about £500,000 worth of vapes, cigarettes and tobaccos from a shop on High Street and two also found about £250,000 of goods at a shop and vehicle on York Road. The sale of single-use disposable vapes was banned in England and Wales from 1 June. Officers said the items seized would now being analysed, adding that the vehicles involved had been seized."The items seized today can be dangerous, and the profits made by those involved in their supply can bring further harm to communities," said Det Insp Tom Lyons."Intelligence from the community is really valuable, and we would urge anyone with information about goods like these to get in touch with us."The wider project, codenamed Operation Fearless, began in Erdington in January and recently expanded to the Southside area of Tariq, from Birmingham City Council's trading standards department, said it had seen some "really positive results" so far."We're determined to continue working with our partners to protect the community from illicit trade, which we know can often be linked to organised crime," he said. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
