A man will face court after police raided two tobacco stores and a home in Melbourne and Gippsland earlier this week.
The search warrants, executed on Monday afternoon at tobacco stories in Korumburra and Highett, and a home in Hoppers Crossing, were carried out as part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged sale of illegal tobacco in Victoria, police said.
More than 93,000 cigarettes (with a duty excise of over $232,000), more than $90,000 cash, and a small quantity of e-cigarettes, were located at the Hoppers Crossing home.
Almost 30,000 cigarette sticks (with a duty excise of over $72,000), about six kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, and a number of e-cigarettes, were seized from a tobacconist on Commercial Street in Korumburra.
And a further 20,000 cigarette sticks (with a duty excise of almost $50,000), and various quantities of loose-leaf tobacco and e-cigarettes were seized from a tobacco store on Highett Road in Highett.
A 48-year-old Hoppers Crossing man was charged with 16 counts of possessing tobacco products with intent to defraud, three counts of possessing schedule 4 poison, and dealing with suspected proceeds of crime.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 18 June.
Police said the searches were linked to a series of arson attacks on tobacconists in Victoria.
“Victoria Police will continue relentlessly working our way up until we get all the way to the top of these organised crime groups. Every single person involved will be held to account,” Detective Inspector Craig Darlow said.
“To that end, we implore any store owners who have information about illicit tobacco or the syndicates involved to provide that information to us. It can be done anonymously.”
Anybody with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
