Hunter Valley Police have charged a driver after they allegedly located hundreds of illegal cigarette packets, vapes and cash in a vehicle.
About 8.30pm yesterday (Saturday 22 June 2024), officers attached Hunter Valley Police District stopped a Toyota SUV on New England Highway, Parkville, for a random breath test.
During the stop, police allegedly located a large quantity of tabacco in the back seat of the SUV.
Following a search of the vehicle officers located and seized 682 packets of cigarettes, 40 vapes – hidden in exercise equipment – and over $52,000 in Australian currency.
The total street value of the items seized is estimated to be over $20,000.
The driver of the SUV, a 23-year-old man, was arrested and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station.
The man was charged with deal with property proceeds of crime less than $100,000, custody of knife in public place, possess tobacco 5 kilograms or above, convey/possess tobacco products reckless re defraud revenue, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, restricted substance sold by non-wholesaler, deal with property proceeds of crime less than $100,000 and goods suspected stolen in/on premises.
The 23-year-old was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Sunday 23 June 2024).
