Police have seized almost $800,000 worth of illegal tobacco and $66,000 in cash in raids on 10 premises in the South-East of the state.
Serious and Organised Crime Branch, Limestone Coast police and members from Consumer and Business Affairs searched premises at Mount Gambier, Naracoorte and Millicent on 19 and 20 February as part of Operation Eclipse investigations.
The locations searched included tobacconists, candy and gift shops, a commercial storage facility and residential premises.
In one search at a Mount Gambier gift shop $245,000 of illicit tobacco was located. Further investigations resulted in the seizure of $540,000 worth of tobacco products at a commercial storage premises in Mount Gambier.
The searches resulted in the arrest of a man, 23, of Salisbury North for failing to provide his name and address.
Operation Eclipse commander Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby said the regional seizures had significantly disrupted the activities of the syndicates.
"If organised crime syndicates think they can operate in regional areas and not come to the attention of police they are wrong,'' he said.
"The seizures in the South-East have enhanced our knowledge of the operating model of the syndicates and are the subject of further investigations.
"SAPOL will continue to have a whole of organisation response that targets the syndicates to disrupt their financial operations and criminal activity.
"We will pursue criminal charges when sufficient evidence exists and that includes those who are supporting and enabling that activity.''
Operation Eclipse detectives have also searched another four premises in the metropolitan area since 18 February. Illicit tobacco worth $140,000 was seized in those searches.
Detective Chief Inspector Featherby also appealed for public information into an arson attack at a tobacconist on Glynburn Road at Hectorville on Friday 21 February.
In the incident three suspects arrived in a late model white sedan and attempted to set fire to the front of the premises. A witness extinguished the fire.
"We would like to hear from anyone who knows of any person who may have burn injuries or who may have presented at a medical facility with burns since last Friday,'' Detective Chief Inspector Featherby said.
"We are also appealing for dash cam footage from vehicles in the Hectorville area between 4.30am and 5.30am on 21 February or anyone who observed people in a white late model sedan filling a fuel container at a petrol station."
Operation Eclipse has so far resulted in 29 arrests for offences including blackmail, arson, money laundering and serious criminal trespass.
There have been 122 premises searched – 36 residential and 86 businesses – almost $1.25 million in cash, three firearms and almost $10.1 million in tobacco seized. Nine vehicles have also been seized for confiscation.
Significantly, there have been 230 calls to Crime Stoppers since October 2 that have resulted in information being provided to police.
Anyone with any information on criminal activities surrounding the sale of illicit tobacco is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestopperssa.com.au - You can remain anonymous.
