Cade Lucas
Thirteen people have been arrested and multiple properties raided as part of a cross-border investigation into an organised crime group linked to the illicit tobacco trade.
As part of the joint operation with West Australian Police, the WA Department of Health and Australian Border Force, Victorian police executed six warrants on Monday, June 17, at residential properties in Werribee, Sunbury, Wollert, Collingwood, and Altona Meadows.
Police seized 15 firearms from the Sunbury address, along with illicit cigarettes, a gel blaster and a stolen vehicle.
The cigarettes are valued at approximately $2.4 million with a tax excise avoidance of between $2.5-3 million.
A 29-year-old Sunbury man was arrested at the property and subsequently charged with being a prohibited person in possession of firearms, theft of motor vehicle, possessing a traffickable quantity of firearms and Commonwealth tax offences relating to illicit cigarettes.
He was remanded in custody to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on September 20.
A further 50,000 illicit cigarettes, 30 kilograms of loose tobacco, vapes, a crossbow, ammunition, cash and drugs including cocaine, steroids and magic mushrooms were seized from other addresses.
Police also arrested a 26-year-old Wollert man who is expected to be charged on summons with illicit tobacco offences and weapons offences, and a 28-year-old Collingwood man who was charged with drug and proceeds of crime offences. The latter was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on September 4.
A 19-year-old Officer man was arrested in relation to the investigation into a suspicious fire at a tobacco store in Seville on February 11. He was interviewed and released pending further inquiries.
Victoria Police anti-gangs division Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt said they had been working with WA and federal authorities for the past 18 months to tackle organised crime groups involved in the illicit tobacco trade.
“There is no doubt that the arrests in Victoria and Western Australia this week will have a significant impact on the organised crime groups operating in Victoria.”
As part of the cross border operation, WA Police charged seven men and two women, in relation to a $10 million illicit tobacco network operating out of the state.
The head of the group in Western Australia – a 29-year-old man previously from Victoria – is believed to have moved to WA in the last two years to establish the illicit tobacco network.
The investigation into the network in Victoria and in Western Australia remains ongoing.
