The Australian Border Force (ABF) plays an essential role in tackling the issue of illicit tobacco and vapes pre-border, at the border and post border. We work with domestic and international customs, law enforcement and regulatory agencies to identify, disrupt and prosecute criminals and enablers trading in illicit tobacco.
Serious and organised crime’s control of the illicit tobacco market is having a harmful effect on the Australian community. By exploiting the high-profit and low-risk nature of this trade, criminal syndicates fund broader illegal activities, including drug trafficking and money laundering. This undermines legitimate businesses, deprives the government of revenue that can be invested into Australia’s communities and fuels a shadow economy.
The ABF is targeting this at every level - working with offshore partner agencies to stop illicit tobacco before it reaches Australia, targeting and seizing at the border, and working with agencies to disrupt domestic distribution and supply networks.
