Cigarettes purchased 'under the counter' in Australia not only contribute towards dire health outcomes for smokers, they also boost the profits of organised crime syndicates both here and overseas.
To mark World No Tobacco Day (31 May 2024), Australian Border Force (ABF) is highlighting the multi-jurisdictional campaign it is leading to tackle the illicit tobacco market in Australia.
This year's theme for World No Tobacco Day is about protecting children from tobacco industry interference.
Illicit tobacco is a complex problem that requires a multi-faceted response. It avoids public health regulation designed to decrease the uptake of smoking and nicotine products by youth, and has negative health and public safety issues.
Earlier this year the Government committed $188.5 million to the ABF over four years to harden the borders against illicit tobacco and develop a Whole of Government compliance and enforcement model.
ABF Assistant Commissioner for Tobacco and E-Cigarettes Erin Dale, said that while ABF officers could detect and seize illicit tobacco at the border, it is acknowledged that border enforcement alone would not eliminate the scourge of illicit tobacco.
"The fight against the illicit tobacco trade and the serious and organised crime it attracts requires a multi-dimensional and cross-jurisdictional response," Assistant Commissioner Dale said.
"We are leading this end-to-end compliance model across the border continuum, which also involves working with key international partners including Customs Administrations in Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom to deliver multi-national operations targeting illicit tobacco supply chains.
"The ABF-led Illicit Tobacco Taskforce (ITTF) is targeting criminal syndicates, through a hardened environment that will stem the flow of illicit tobacco into Australia.
"This includes boosting the detection, disruption and destruction of illicit tobacco at the border, while domestically bringing the Commonwealth, states and territories together to improve our collective effect.
Assistant Commissioner Dale said ITTF collaboration with state police to target the retail sales of illicit tobacco by organised crime groups was also having an impact.
"Selling illicit cigarettes to the community without the graphic health warnings and government excise takes the two proven deterrents to smoking that historically have led to a dramatic drop in the rates of smoking in the community.
"Make no mistake, the illicit tobacco trade will continue to cause harm to Australians while lining the pockets of criminals, and we are determined to put a stop to that," Assistant Commissioner Dale said.
Since it was established in 2018 the ITTF has seized and destroyed nearly half a million kilograms of tobacco (464,321kgs) and prevented $700 million in revenue evasion.
Acting ATO Assistant Commissioner Justin Clarke said the ATO will continue to work closely with its partner agencies to target the source of illicit tobacco supply.
"The trade of illicit tobacco products in Australia has widespread negative consequences across the community as it takes away funding from essential services such as health and education. We are committed to disrupting organised crime syndicates that produce and supply illicit tobacco for sale on the black market in Australia."
The effective collaboration between health and law enforcement agencies is also highlighted in strong partnership with the Department of Health and Aged Care. Enforcement of illicit tobacco trade ensures the success of public health measures like the new Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Act which commenced on 1 April 2024.
?Highlights of operational outcomes:
- Operation CALOR: In February 2024 the ITTF undertook operational activity– supported by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), The Australian Federal Police (AFP), NSW Health and NSW Police Force.
- Through this activity ABF officers seized approximately 404kg of loose leaf tobacco, 1,075,160 cigarette sticks, disposable vapes, four gel blaster firearms, $277,000 cash. While the TGA located and seized approximately 166,000 disposable vapes for destruction.
- Operation FURY: In February 2024, ABF, AFP and Victoria Police (VicPol) executed 13 search warrants across Melbourne.
- Six persons were arrested, five of whom were charged with offences related to the importation of illicit tobacco and one with a Commonwealth proceeds of crime offence.
- Illicit tobacco, vapes, vehicles and cash were seized.
- Operation HARVESTHOME: In August 2023, the ITTF undertook operational activity in south east Queensland and northern New South Wales with the AFP, New South Wales Police, Queensland Health and the TGA.
- Through this activity the ABF seized over $1.4 million in cash, in excess of 2.8 million cigarettes and over 380 kilos of loose leaf tobacco.
- Suspected counterfeit empty plain packaging was also located, demonstrating the adaptability of organised crime groups to attempt to conceal their activity.
- During the searches vaping products with an estimated street value of $5.3 million were also seized.
- Operation ABERDEEN: In late August 2023 the ABF supported joint Operation Aberdeen involving the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission, Queensland Police, ATO, Queensland Health and the TGA. More than 150 staff across six agencies were involved in a coordinated day of operational activity resulting in:
- the seizure of $835,000 in cash, more than 8 million cigarettes and 3.74 tonnes of loose-leaf tobacco; and
- over 60,000 vapes with an approximate street value of $1.8 million and six motor vehicles were seized.