Over 16 tonnes of illicit tobacco in Merrigum has been seized and destroyed.

Two search warrants were executed on Thursday, March 6 at a property in Merrigum, finding two illegal tobacco crops over five hectares, equivalent to almost 12 football fields.

Police were alerted to the tobacco crops by a tip-off from a community member, who passed it along to the Australian Taxation Office.

The operation was a joint initiative between Victoria Police’s VIPER Taskforce, the ATO and the Australian Border Force.

Victoria Police Detective Acting Superintendent Craig Darlow said disrupting these syndicates remained a priority, with the seizure providing further avenues of inquiry for police.

“We have made it clear that we will target anyone at any level across the state who is involved in the distribution and sale of illicit tobacco, and that involves regional Victoria,” he said.

“These seizures — and their potential value of almost $35 million in avoided excise — are significant, and their impact will undoubtedly be felt by the organised crime groups operating in this state.

“We are doing absolutely everything we can to target syndicate leaders, directors, facilitators and organisers responsible for this criminal offending to make involvement in illicit tobacco as unattractive a proposition as possible.”

ATO Assistant Commissioner Jade Hawkins praised the community member who helped tip off the ATO.

“The significant outcomes of these raids are another positive step forward in the ongoing work to detect, disrupt and dismantle organised crime syndicates who use profits from illicit tobacco to fund other, more serious illegal activities,” she said.

ABF Acting Commander Tori Rosemond said it was estimated organised crime groups controlled 75 per cent of the illicit tobacco market in Australia.

“We are detecting and seizing massive quantities of illicit tobacco on a daily basis at the border, but this alone cannot stem the supply, which is why we work side-by-side our partners to stamp out these home-grown illicit operations,” she said.

If you suspect that illegal tobacco is being grown, manufactured or sold in your community, you can confidentially report it to the ATO online at ato.gov.au/tipoff or call 1800 060 062.

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