Suburbs of Logan have for two years been at the heart of an illegal tobacco ring, police allege.
Police say they’ve seized tobacco with a street value of $24 million.
An operation has been stopped after two years of investigation.
Codenamed Operation Romeo Serge, the investigation was conducted by detectives from the Logan District Criminal Investigation Branch, officers from the Australian Taxation Office and Queensland Health.
The seizure follows 12 raids at Beenleigh, Springwood, Slacks Creek, Rochedale South, Logan Central, Marsden, Waterford and Heritage Park.
Police said officers had uncovered 4.5 tonnes of tobacco, $900,000 in cash, 114,732 packets of cigarettes and 150,000 vapes containing nicotine.
Five people had been taken into custody and more arrests expected to be made. It is estimated $10.42 million dollars in excise has been avoided and the seized tobacco has a street value of $24 million.
Police said a further search of a Kuraby business and Logan Reserve residential address located approximately 1.5 tonnes of loose-leaf tobacco, 110,000 packets of imported cigarettes, 100,000 vapes containing nicotine.
Australian Tax Office Assistant Commissioner, Ian Read said tobacco operations are not run by small producers or farmers.
“They are run by organised criminal syndicates who use the proceeds to fund their criminal behaviour well beyond the sale of illegal tobacco,” he said.
“Retailers choosing to become involved in the sale of illegal tobacco gain an unfair price advantage over small business. Removing illicit tobacco from crop to shop creates a level playing field and also helps to stop organised crime syndicates from funding other activities.”
He said illegal tobacco costs the Australian community more than $800 million dollars in lost excise revenue each year and deprived the community of taxes that fund services such as schools and hospitals.
“It has been illegal to grow tobacco in Australia for more than a decade and if convicted, carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment.”
A 54-year-old Springwood man was charged with possessing dangerous drugs, possession of tobacco more than 100kg and dealing with money suspected of being proceeds.
A 55-year-old Rochedale South man has been charged with possession of tobacco more than100kg, importation of tobacco with intent to defraud and dealing with money suspected of being proceeds.
They are both scheduled to appear in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on July 15.
A 36-year-old Park Ridge South man has been charged with supplying tobacco in non-compliant packaging and possession of a regulated poison.
A 32-year-old North Lakes man has been charged with supplying tobacco in non-compliant packaging and possession of a regulated poison.
They are both scheduled to appear in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on July 19.
A 32-year-old Heritage Park man has been charged with possession of a regulated poison and possession of tobacco more than 100kg. He is scheduled to appear at the Beenleigh Magistrates Court on July 28.
A 57-year-old Kuraby man was charged with possession of tobacco more than 500kg, possession of tobacco more than 100kg, importation of tobacco with intent to defraud and unlawful possession of a weapon. He is scheduled to appear at the Beenleigh Magistrates Court on June 29.
If you suspect that illicit tobacco is being grown, manufactured or sold in your community you can report it anonymously online at ato.gov.au/tipoff or by calling 1800 060 062.
