The government of the Australian state of South Australia says it will seize nearly $1 million worth of illegal tobacco products in the past two weeks in a determined crackdown on the illicit tobacco market. Since July, the South Australian government has seized nearly 15,000 illegal vapes.
Nearly 15,000 vapes were seized in South Australia
The Labor government led by Peter Malinauskas in South Australia says it will crack down on the illicit tobacco market in the past two weeks, seizing almost $1 million worth of illicit tobacco products. Since July, the South Australian government has seized nearly 15,000 illegal vapes.
The South Australia Police Service (SAPOL) works closely with the consumer and commercial sectors to avoid criminal behavior and vicious incidents associated with the sale of illicit tobacco. In the past two weeks, about $630,000 worth of illicit goods were seized by the Consumer and Commercial Division, while SAPOL’s investigations seized about $300,000 worth of illicit cigarettes and vapes, which were handed over to the Consumer and Commercial Division.
South Australia cracks down on illicit tobacco
The total value of illegal goods seized since July 1 is reported to be close to $2 million. This category includes 1.2 million tobacco sticks, nearly a ton of cigarettes, more than 300 kg of hookah, and nearly 15,000 vapes. SAPOL shares information with the consumer and business sectors to support law enforcement efforts and collaborates with Victoria Police and other law enforcement agencies.
The South Australian government has been pushing ahead with a backlash against vapes and their associated crime for more than a month, with a new $16 million accountability unit in the consumer and commercial sectors to operate from July 1. The government has since tabled penalties in Parliament for significantly increasing the sale and use of vapes and cigarette products, up to $1.5 million.
Merchants who violate such orders may be subject to hefty fines
In addition, the South Australian government said it was working on legislation to give the Minister of Consumer and Business Affairs new powers to shut down businesses suspected of selling illegal cigarette products or vapes. The first order is valid for 72 hours, and closure orders approved by local judges can last up to six months. Any merchant who violates such directives could face fines of up to $1.1 million, and individuals could be fined up to $700,000.
South Australian MP Andrea Michaels said: “We will never tolerate the threat to the community posed by criminals in these illegal tobacco shops. They are worrying about the potential harm to people’s health and have become more vigilant in recent weeks with the worsening of arson and vicious incidents. The government will continue to attack these businesses, remove these illegal goods from the streets, and do its best to stop their business.”
Member Dan Cregan noted that the SA Police Service is working with the consumer and commercial sectors to detect and disrupt criminals involved in the illegal cigarette trade. Serious crimes involving arson, assault, and money laundering threaten public safety and SAPOL continues to combat these exploits of others for personal gain. Police sharing of information and support for high-risk raids form an important part of the fight against this illegal market.
