EDITOR'S NOTE: Images of the seizure are available to download here.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers, alongside Commonwealth and state partners, have uncovered an illegal cigarette manufacturing operation during a targeted raid disrupting an illicit tobacco syndicate in North-Western Sydney.
The ABF-led Illicit Tobacco Taskforce (ITTF) conducted the operation on Thursday 22 January 2026 at a self‑storage facility in Rouse Hill. ABF officers worked closely with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and NSW Police to execute the coordinated enforcement activity.
Two Commonwealth search warrants were executed, uncovering equipment used in the manufacture of illicit tobacco, as well as quantities of illicit tobacco products and related components.
Items seized included:
7.53 kg of loose‑leaf tobacco
5,972 vaping device components
One (1) tobacco manufacturing machine
Eight (8) large boxes of suspected counterfeit tobacco packaging
This operation forms part of the ITTF's continued efforts to disrupt, dismantle and deter organised criminal activity linked to illicit tobacco production and distribution.
ITTF Acting Superintendent Samuel Harnden said a manufacturing machine of this scale had the potential to produce a significant quantity of cigarettes per day.
“There are clear and established links between local illicit tobacco manufacturing in Australia and organised criminal syndicates," Acting Supt Harnden said.
“Every illicit tobacco purchase provides funding to these criminal syndicates, giving them the funds that drive further violence and serious criminal activity.
"Together with our law enforcement and regulatory partners, we are targeting illicit tobacco at every level — importation, production, distribution, and supply. Criminal activity in this market will not be tolerated."
ATO Acting Assistant Commissioner Justin Gorry said the targeted raid demonstrates the effectiveness of the ITTF in combating illicit tobacco in Australia.
"The seized tobacco manufacturing machine can produce up to 3.6 million cigarettes per day, the seizure of this machine, with a capacity this large, will place a dent in the manufacture and sale of illicit tobacco."
Professor Anthony Lawler, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and Head of the TGA, said the TGA remains committed to safeguarding the health of all Australians.
“These seizures reflect how strong collaboration between law enforcement agencies, the ATO and the TGA continues to support compliance and protect the public."
Media contact: media@abf.gov.au
