A series of coordinated multi-agency operations targeting serious and organised crime groups involved in the importation and distribution of illicit tobacco in North Queensland has resulted in approximately AUD $12.5 million worth of illicit tobacco and vapes being removed from the community.
Conducted between 3 and 13 March 2026, officers from the Australian Border Force Townsville District Office (DO), the ABF-led Illicit Tobacco Task Force (ITTF), Queensland Health (Qld Health), Queensland Police (Qld Police) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) executed several warrants across Jubilee Pocket and Townsville, QLD as part of Operation BEAR and BEAR-CUB.
Accoss the six days of activity, authorities seized more than 5.89 million illicit cigarette sticks, over 1.2 tonne of loose-leaf tobacco and more than 18,800 vapes, with a combined estimated duty evaded and street value of approximately AUD $12.5 million.
On 3 March 2026, Qld Health supported by the ITTF, QLD Police and AFP, executed a Tobacco and Other Smoking Products warrant at four storage units in Jubilee Pocket. During the warrants, officers seized over 479,800 cigarette sticks and 267 cigars.
On 5th and 6th March 2026, officers from the ABF Townsville DO and the ITTF, working in partnership with the Qld Police, executed 11 Customs Act seizure warrants and four Police Powers and Responsibilities Act warrants across 13 locations in Townsville, including residential premises, storage sheds and a warehouse.
During the warrants officers seized more than 2.5 million illicit cigarette sticks, 50 kg loose-leaf tobacco and 8,000 vapes. Qld Police also seized approximately AUD $300,000 in cash and a large quantity of mobile devices believed to contain evidentiary material relating to money laundering activities and further illicit importations.
On 10 and 12 March 2026, officers from the ABF Townsville DO executed several Customs Act seizure warrants at multiple storage units in Garbutt. During the warrants officers seized over 2.5 million cigarette sticks, approximately 1,170 kgs loose-leaf tobacco, 10,880 vapes and 390 nicotine pouches.
On 13 March 2026 while attending a residential premise related to the investigation, ABF officers noticed a suspicious van parked on the street in front of the premise with tobacco products sighted inside the vehicle. Officers subsequently executed Customs Act seizure warrants and seized a further 420,000 cigarette sticks.
Investigations remain ongoing.
ABF Superintendent Tracie Griffin said these results demonstrate the strength of a coordinated, multi-agency approach. Working side by side with our partners, we are disrupting organised crime groups and dismantling their hold on the illicit tobacco market across Australia.
“Every seizure the ABF makes offshore, at our border, and within the country removes illegal products from the community and strips millions of dollars in profit from the hands of organised crime," Superintendent Griffin said
“Criminal groups involved in illicit tobacco should expect continued joint agency disruption across Australia. Our agencies are united in our efforts to identify, target and dismantle these networks wherever they operate."
AFP Superintendent Adrian Telfer said the AFP and its state and Commonwealth partners were committed to combatting organised crime's grip on the illicit tobacco trade in Australia.
“Illicit tobacco has fuelled violence and crime in our communities and this activity is another step in law enforcement's efforts to disrupt illicit operations," Supt Telfer said.
“The AFP and our ITTF partners work closely every day to target and dismantle criminal activity, and protect the community."
Anyone with information about the importation of illicit tobacco should contact Border Watch at abf.gov.au/borderwatch. By reporting suspicious activities, you help protect Australia's border and the community. Information can be provided anonymously.
Media contact: media@abf.gov.au
