06/03/2023
The Australian Taxation Office and Victorian Police have seized and destroyed illicit tobacco with an estimated excise of over $31 million.
Following an anonymous tip-off, police officers discovered illicit tobacco crops valued at over $25 million at a property in Nathalia, Vic, and over $6 million worth of tobacco crops at another property in Katunga, Vic.
Theo Foukkare, CEO of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), applauded the work of the Illicit Tobacco Task Force (ITTF).
“We commend the work conducted by the ITTF in disrupting the supply chain of this organised crime. This is a significant seizure of unprocessed tobacco (chop chop), that poses significant community risks to those that consume it and also takes away important revenue from legitimate businesses who are doing the right thing and selling product that consumers know is regulated accordingly.”
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