Police from the VIPER Taskforce have charged a woman and seized illicit tobacco and cash as part of an investigation into the sale of illicit tobacco in regional Victoria.
A warrant was executed at a Firebrace Street store on Monday, 17 February.
Over 12,000 illicit cigarette sticks, 2.5kg of illicit loose leaf tobacco, 135 e-cigarettes and approximately $10,000 cash were seized from the premises.
A 23-year-old Stawell woman working in the store at the time was arrested and charged with tobacco related offences including:
• Possess or convey tobacco products (Knowing) with the intent to defraud the revenue (Customs Act 1901);
• Possess or convey tobacco products (Reckless) with the intent to defraud the revenue (Customs Act 1901);
• Deal property believing it to be proceeds of crime (Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995); and
• Supplying Vaping Goods (Therapeutic Goods Act 1989).
She was bailed to appear at Horsham Magistrates' Court on 17 March.
Police will allege that the store is connected to an organised crime syndicate involved in the sale of illicit tobacco.
In August last year, detectives from VIPER Taskforce and Horsham Crime Investigation Unit executed a warrant at the same business and subsequently seized 42,000 illicit cigarette sticks, sandwich bags filled with 1kg of loose leaf tobacco, over 300 vapes and cash.
A 36-year-old Black Ridge man was subsequently charged with a range of tobacco related offences under the Customs Act 1901 (Commonwealth).
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information on illicit tobacco activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Craig Darlow, VIPER Taskforce:
"These organised crime syndicates survive through recruiting people at all levels to carry out their offending - this includes people staffing stores involved in the illicit tobacco trade.
"VIPER will continue to focus on these groups and ensure anyone involved at any level is held to account for their criminality.
"I'd like to remind people again that when they walk into these stores and buy products, they are also putting money directly into the hands of criminals who then use it to fund serious and violent offending."
