Police from the VIPER Taskforce have charged a woman and seized illicit tobacco and cash as part of an investigation into the sale of illegal tobacco in regional Victoria.
A warrant was executed at a Firebrace Street, Horsham store on Monday, February 17.
Detective Inspector Craig Darlow said that over 12,000 illicit cigarettes, 2.5kg of illicit loose-leaf tobacco, 135 e-cigarettes and approximately $10,000 cash were seized.
“These organised crime syndicates survive through recruiting people at all levels to carry out their offending – this includes people staffing stores involved in the illicit tobacco trade,” Det. Insp. Craig Darlow said.
A 23-year-old Stawell woman working in the store at the time was arrested and charged with several tobacco-related offences.
She was bailed to appear at Horsham Magistrates’ Court on Monday, March 17.
Police will allege that the store is connected to an organised crime syndicate involved in the sale of illicit tobacco.
“I’d like to remind people again that when they walk into these stores and buy products, they are also putting money directly into the hands of criminals who then use it to fund serious and violent offending,” Det. Insp. Craig Darlow said.
In August last year, VIPER Taskforce and Horsham Crime Investigation Unit detectives executed a warrant at the same business.
Subsequently, they seized 42,000 illicit cigarettes, sandwich bags filled with 1kg of loose-leaf tobacco, over 300 vapes and cash.
A 36-year-old Black Ridge man was subsequently charged with a range of tobacco-related offences under the Commonwealth Customs Act 1901.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information on illicit tobacco activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
