NewsSmuggling

ABF Sees Illegal tobacco and cigarette imports surge

The Australian Border Force (ABF) is seeing a significant increase in attempted illicit tobacco imports at the Australian border.

Between 1 January and 31 December 2021 the ABF detected 878.8 tonnes of undeclared loose leaf tobacco and 712.7 million undeclared cigarette sticks, a 45 per cent increase on the previous year.

The combined weight of the detections in 2021 is over 1,377.7 tonnes, which is equivalent to approximately seven and a half Boeing 747’s.

The majority of the illicit tobacco consignments are arriving from the Middle East and Asian regions. Once the detections are made at our air cargo or container examination facilities, the illicit tobacco products are either kept for further investigation or incinerated.

Commander Trade and Travel Operations East Susan Drennan said criminal groups who attempt to facilitate this illegal trade should stop wasting their time and money.

“Our detection numbers show we are very alert to the different methods and patterns of concealment used in illicit tobacco importations at our borders,” Commander Drennan said.

“Our message to those who think they can import such large amounts of illicit tobacco and get away with it – is to think again.”

Where illicit tobacco importations are linked to serious and organised crime syndicates, it will be referred to the Illicit Tobacco Taskforce (ITTF), which combines the operational, investigative, and intelligence capabilities of the ABF, Australian Taxation Office, Department of Home Affairs, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, AUSTRAC and Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

Commander Special Investigations Greg Linsdell said tobacco is a common choice for transnational criminal groups attempting to make profits at the expense of our communities. .

“Organised crime groups capitalise on unwitting smokers looking for cheap cigarettes to enrich themselves and to fund other types of criminal activities that harm our community,” Commander Linsdell said.

“The ABF is working tirelessly to stop this activity both at our border and within Australia through a comprehensive and powerful ITTF investigative actions”