The State and Federal Governments have joined forces to remove thousands of illegal vaping devices and over 100 kilograms of illegal tobacco from South Australian streets.
Last week, as part of Taskforce Morpheus, Australian Border Force officers and Consumer and Business Services (CBS) staff conducted raids on two businesses in Adelaide’s northern suburbs. They seized a range of illicit products, with an estimated street value of around $160,000. The items taken included:
- 2,372 disposal vapes (some flavoured)
- 81 packs of vape liquid, 10 ml each
- 115 cartons of cigarettes
- 497 packs of cigarettes
- Two and a half kilograms worth of tobacco pouches
- 45 packs of refilled cigarette tubes
- 4 tins of cigars
- More than 125 kilograms of shisha
“This is part of our ongoing crackdown on the illegal tobacco and vape market and the criminals who target our children,” Chris Picton, Minister for Health and Wellbeing, said.
“Vapes are full of nasty chemicals and getting them off the streets and off shelves will help keep them out of the hands and lungs of our kids.
“Smoking is one of our biggest preventable killers and cause of disease and the use of vapes is rapidly rising, particularly among young people.”
CBS is continuing its investigation into the businesses involved and is considering possible fines or prosecution. These recent raids follow earlier operations by CBS, where more than $80,000 worth of tobacco and related products were taken.
To combat this illegal trade, the Federal Labor Government has set up the Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette Commissioner to oversee efforts by federal and state agencies. Plus, the State Government has invested $16 million to create a specialised taskforce within CBS.
“The illicit tobacco trade is far from a harmless activity, it is estimated that organised crime groups control 75 per cent of the illicit tobacco market in Australia,” Superintendent Alex Kelsall, Australian Border Force, said.
“These organised crime groups use the profits to fund other crimes, including the importation of illicit drugs and firearms.
“Close cooperation with our partner agencies is critical to successfully disrupting criminal activities preventing criminals from taking footholds in our communities.”
To report illegal tobacco or vape dealers, visit www.cbs.sa.gov.au/tobacco
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