Raids on 14 premises across the metropolitan area by Operation Eclipse detectives have resulted in almost $3 million in tobacco products and $123,000 in cash being seized.
Significantly, two major commercial storage facilities at Cheltenham have been located that detectives believe were being used as distribution centres for illegal tobacco products.
At one of the storage facilities tobacco products worth $1.55 million were seized, while the second contained $835,000 in illegal tobacco products.
As part of the first tranche of raids on November 12 and 13 a Queensland man, 48, was arrested at Semaphore Park and charged with money laundering in connection with $123,000 in cash that was seized. He has been remanded in custody and will next appear in court on January 22, 2025.
Additional raids occurred on November 21 involving 40 police from the Serious and Organised Crime Branch, Financial and Cybercrime Investigation Branch, Public Protection Branch and Major Crime Investigation Branch.
Detectives seized more than $250,000 worth of illegal tobacco products. At one location a legitimate courier arrived with tobacco products on a pallet that had been consigned from NSW while the search was underway.
As part of Operation Eclipse investigations on November 15 Western Districts CIB detectives arrested an Ovingham man, 25, and charged him in connection with two arsons. He has been remanded in custody and will next appear in court on March 5, 2025.
The arsons relate to deliberately lit fires at premises on Henley Beach Road at Brooklyn Park at 12.50am on September 30, 2024 and at Prospect Road at Blair Athol at 2.30am on September 30, 2024.
The aim of the ongoing searches was to support Consumer and Business Services officers who have responsibility for the regulation of tobacco in SA and in some instances to facilitate ongoing investigations into serious criminal offending including arson, extortion and money laundering associated with illicit tobacco sales.
Operation Eclipse tactical commander Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby said proactive action would continue to disrupt those behind illicit tobacco sales and make SA a hostile environment for their activities.
"The disruption tactics that have been adopted by SAPOL are having an impact on the syndicates behind this illegal activity.
This whole of organisation response to disrupt their financial operations and associated criminal activity will continue,'' he said.
"We will pursue criminal charges against those involved when sufficient evidence is available and that includes against those who are supporting or enabling that criminal activity.
"We have received significant support from the community with 132 calls to Crime Stoppers providing valuable information that is assisting us.''
Operation Eclipse has so far resulted in 20 arrests for offences including money laundering, blackmail, serious criminal trespass and arson. There have been 62 searches on residential and business premises, three firearms, $995,960 in cash and almost $7 million in tobacco products have been seized. Seven vehicles are subject to confiscation orders.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
