Warnings that 300,000 illegal cigarettes and 3000kgs of loose-leaf tobacco are just the tip of the iceberg and more police enforcement is needed.

Illegal trade is growing rapidly in regional Queensland

The discovery of a giant cache of illicit tobacco seized in a joint operation of the Australian Taxation Office and Queensland Police shows the importance of ensuring authorities have the resources to enforce the law on black market tobacco, the leaders of three national retail representative groups representing thousands of businesses across the country said today.

In a joint statement, the leaders of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), Master Grocers Australia (MGA), and the Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association (ALNA) welcomed news of the raid and said it highlighted the extent of the illicit tobacco problem and its impact on communities.

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