More than 200,000 cigarettes, 16,000 vapes and 150 kilos of loose tobacco have been seized in raids linked to a multi-million-dollar illegal tobacco trafficking network.
The mass seizure of tobacco products occurred in six police raids across Western Australia’s South West, Mid West and Gascoyne regions.
Four raids on commercial and residential properties in Bunbury and Manjimup on Thursday unearthed 192,450 cigarettes, 130kg of loose tobacco, 16,085 vapes and $34,950 in cash.
A further 27,000 cigarettes, 32kg of tobacco and $21,000 in cash were seized when two retail and residential premises were raided in the Geraldton area on June 27.
More than 200,000 cigarettes, 16,000 vapes and 150 kilos of loose tobacco have been seized in raids linked to a multi-million dollar illegal tobacco network
The huge amount of tobacco products was obtained from six police raids in the South West, Mid West and Gascoyne regions of Western Australia (pictured are some of the 16,000 vapes seized)
Police did not disclose whether any arrests had been made in the raids, but said investigations were ongoing.
This comes amid a turf war over illegal tobacco in Victoria that has seen 60 arson attacks on businesses in the past 15 months.
The firebombings are linked to a conflict between criminal organisations, police say.
The Australian Taxation Office and Victoria Police confirmed last week that 3.3 tonnes of tobacco, more than $170,000 in cash and 11 firearms had been seized as part of a joint investigation into the black market.
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