New quarterly data released by the Australian Border Force (ABF) demonstrates higher success rates and larger quantities of illicit tobacco seized at the international border.
586 million cigarettes and over 3 million vapes have already been seized at the Australian border in the first quarter of this financial year (1 July – 30 September), representing an upwards trajectory from the same comparison period in the last two financial years.
Through enhanced intelligence and information sharing, the ABF is able to better target consignments for inspection, resulting in higher seizure figures and volumes, regardless of entry point into Australia.
In Queensland, almost 2 tonnes of tobacco was seized in July when a suspicious shipping container arrived from China, the goods were mis-described as furniture. A few weeks later, ABF officers at the Brisbane Airport selected a traveller for examination after arriving from Lebanon. A search of his baggage uncovered over 30kg tobacco and over 2,500 cigarettes which were concealed in short pockets and rolled into socks.
In August, ABF officers in Freemantle, WA seized over 4 million cigarettes behind a wall of bricks in a shipping container, this led to the establishment of a joint agency operation across state borders where officers seized an estimated $24 million in crime proceeds across NSW. This investigation is currently ongoing.
Also in August, ABF officers in Melbourne stopped a man arriving from the UAE after he had been previously warned against smuggling illicit tobacco into the country, a baggage inspection of him and his associates located a combined total of over 68,000 cigarettes. Charges against the Customs Act 1910 (Cth)are currently pending and the individuals will face court at a later date.
Following this, a staggering 6.5 tonnes of tobacco was seized in Victoria, as part of a consignment on a cargo ship arriving from China, the goods were incorrectly described at furniture – the shipment is currently under investigation.
Rounding out the financial year quarter was a near-record breaking seizure in Sydney arriving in mid-September via sea cargo, the shipment arriving from China contained over 95 thousand vapes was incorrectly described as ‘perforated strips’ and is currently under investigation.
Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Commander Greg Dowse said recent seizures demonstrated criminals were becoming more brazen, attempting to import larger quantities at a time, often not bothering to even try and conceal the load.
“Many of our larger seizures can be attributed to our successful offshore relationships with international partners. By regularly sharing intelligence we can target and identify consignments of illicit tobacco and vapes before they have even reached our shores”, Commander Dowse said.
“We want criminals to know that our evolving intelligence and enhanced information sharing is outsmarting any evasion attempt to smuggle illicit tobacco into our country.”
Anyone with information about the importation of illicit tobacco or cigarettes 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
