Latest news with #illicittobacco
The Australian
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Australian
Premier Chris Minns fears Qld illicit tobacco invasion in NSW
Individuals caught selling tobacco without a licence in NSW could soon cop fines of more than $500,00 amid fears criminals will flee similarly harsh penalties in Queensland. The NSW government will introduce tough new laws targeting the booming illicit tobacco trade on Wednesday morning, including fines for individuals of $660,000. The Bill would also create a new commercial possession of illicit tobacco offence, carrying a maximum penalty of seven years in prison or a $1.5m fine. NSW Premier Chris Minns said it was necessary the state government 'take action now' after tough new penalties were introduced across the border in Queensland. 'I've got a great concern that illicit behaviour will cross the border into NSW as criminals flee Queensland. We can't be in that situation,' Mr Minns said. 'I won't allow NSW to be a dumping ground for illegal, illicit behaviour in the state (Queensland)'. Mr Minns has repeatedly called on the federal government to re-evaluate the tobacco excise, which he blames for pushing people into illicit tobacco. NSW Premier Chris Minns said it was necessary the state government 'take action now' on illicit tobacco. Picture: NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone An average 20-pack of cigarettes in Australia costs about $40, marking a three-fold increase in the past decade. In the absence of reform, Mr Minns lamented that the state government was having to move forward with a 'law enforcement' solution. 'I'd like to move these laws, these tougher penalties, these increased and enhanced law enforcement powers, alongside a commonsense approach to the excise,' he said. 'I think that would have dealt with both sides of this marketplace, supply and demand. 'The ever-increasing excise (is) pushing more and more people to an illegal marketplace, meaning that our health and law enforcement officials have got to do more work.' Mr Minns said the tobacco excise was 'the only tax in the world that has doubled over a short space of time, and yet revenue has halved'. Asked if he had any indication from the federal government of a change to the tax, Mr Minns said he had 'tried to influence their policy'. Mr Minns has regularly hit out at the prevalence of tobacco stores in Sydney. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard 'But, they're not going to change,' he said. Mr Minns said the current fines of about $11,000 for an individual were 'too low for anyone to be dissipated to be part of this criminal marketplace'. For many, it was just the 'cost of doing business', he added. Under the plans, corporations will also face a maximum fine of $880,000 for selling illicit tobacco without a licence. Health officials will also be able to issue a short-term closure order for premises suspected of selling illicit tobacco and then go to court for a longer order.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Premier Chris Minns fears Qld illicit tobacco invasion in NSW amid new crackdown
Individuals caught selling tobacco without a licence in NSW could soon cop fines of more than $500,00 amid fears criminals will flee similarly harsh penalties in Queensland. The NSW government will introduce tough new laws targeting the booming illicit tobacco trade on Wednesday morning, including fines for individuals of $660,000. The Bill would also create a new commercial possession of illicit tobacco offence, carrying a maximum penalty of seven years in prison or a $1.5m fine. NSW Premier Chris Minns said it was necessary the state government 'take action now' after tough new penalties were introduced across the border in Queensland. 'I've got a great concern that illicit behaviour will cross the border into NSW as criminals flee Queensland. We can't be in that situation,' Mr Minns said. 'I won't allow NSW to be a dumping ground for illegal, illicit behaviour in the state (Queensland)'. Mr Minns has repeatedly called on the federal government to re-evaluate the tobacco excise, which he blames for pushing people into illicit tobacco. An average 20-pack of cigarettes in Australia costs about $40, marking a three-fold increase in the past decade. In the absence of reform, Mr Minns lamented that the state government was having to move forward with a 'law enforcement' solution. 'I'd like to move these laws, these tougher penalties, these increased and enhanced law enforcement powers, alongside a commonsense approach to the excise,' he said. 'I think that would have dealt with both sides of this marketplace, supply and demand. 'The ever-increasing excise (is) pushing more and more people to an illegal marketplace, meaning that our health and law enforcement officials have got to do more work.' Mr Minns said the tobacco excise was 'the only tax in the world that has doubled over a short space of time, and yet revenue has halved'. Asked if he had any indication from the federal government of a change to the tax, Mr Minns said he had 'tried to influence their policy'. 'But, they're not going to change,' he said. Mr Minns said the current fines of about $11,000 for an individual were 'too low for anyone to be dissipated to be part of this criminal marketplace'. For many, it was just the 'cost of doing business', he added. Under the plans, corporations will also face a maximum fine of $880,000 for selling illicit tobacco without a licence. Health officials will also be able to issue a short-term closure order for premises suspected of selling illicit tobacco and then go to court for a longer order.
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.
