Cade Lucas
A Hoppers Crossing man has been charged as part of an investigation into the alleged sale of illicit tobacco in Victoria.
Officers from the VIPER Taskforce executed search warrants in Hoppers Crossing and at two tobacco stores in Korumburra and Highett on Monday afternoon.
A 48-year-old Hoppers Crossing man was arrested during the raids and subsequently charged with 16 counts of possessing tobacco products with intent to defraud, three counts of possessing schedule 4 poison and dealing property suspected to be the proceeds of crime.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on June 18.
More than 93,000 cigarettes, more than $90,000 cash and a small quantity of e-cigarettes were located at the Hoppers Crossing address.
The searches are part of an investigation by VIPER and Taskforce Lunar into a series of arson attacks linked to the illicit tobacco trade in Victoria.
Officers from the two Victoria Police taskforces are working with Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police as part of the investigation in order to disrupt the syndicates involved.
VIPER Taskforce Detective Inspector Craig Darlow, said police wouldn’t stop until they got to the top of the organised crime groups involved in the illicit tobacco trade.
“Every single person involved will be held to account,” he 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. We want to assure business owners that police are doing everything we can to put a stop to this and the danger these attacks present to both their livelihoods and staff.”
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
