A Point Cook man was one of six people arrested last week in relation to the largest seizure of illegal vapes in Australian history.
Almost 500,000 vapes with an estimated street value of more than $15 million, were seized after a warrant was executed by Victoria Police at a West Melbourne warehouse on Wednesday April 17.
The joint investigation between Victoria Police and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) had only commenced days earlier after police identified that the warehouse was possibly being used by an organised crime syndicate for the trafficking of illicit tobacco products.
Police arrested six men at the Lennon Street property, including a 37-year-old Point Cook man, two 20-year-old Melbourne men, a 31-year-old Southbank man, a 33-year-old Adelaide man and a 24-year-old man of no fixed address.
All six were interviewed and released pending further inquiries.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner– Crime Command, Martin O’Brien, said the seizures and arrests were the result of cooperation between state and federal law enforcement.
“Those partnerships are crucial when it comes to our ability to target and disrupt these organised crime groups and the offending taking place here in Victoria,” Assistant Commissioner O’Brien said.
“Over the past 12 months in Victoria we have seen the illicit tobacco market become a significant driver of organised crime groups, with an array of serious and violent offending taking place as these groups fight over profit. Taskforce Lunar was established back in October last year and has worked closely with a range of specialist units including the VIPER Taskforce to target these organised crime groups. We have seen almost 100 people arrested in connection to illicit tobacco as well as multiple large scale seizures of illegally imported product.”
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the latest seizures further vindicated the government’s decision to ban the importation of vapes.
“Our coordinated efforts are working to control a product that has hooked a whole new generation on nicotine,” said Minister Butler.
“Now we need Parliament to pass our legislation to return vaping to its original purpose of helping hardened smokers to quit – as prescribed by their doctor and purchased at a pharmacy like any other prescription.”
The Therapeutic Goods Administration will now take control of the investigation which remains ongoing.
Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers.com.au
