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Two men entrenched in Queensland's largest illicit tobacco criminal network have been arrested, and a significant amount of tobacco seized after a sophisticated joint operation across two states.
On 6 May 2026, officers from the Australian Border Force led-Illicit Tobacco Taskforce, Australian Federal Police, NSW Police Force, and QLD Police Service conducted a large-scale operation in Northern NSW under Operation Bear - aimed at targeting the serious organised crime group suspected of illegal tobacco importation, distribution, storage, transport and money laundering.
During the operation, a 63-year-old man with known links to the serious organised crime was observed transporting illicit tobacco across northern NSW. NSW Police stopped the man in his vehicle in Ballina for questioning where they discovered bundles of cash and a large box of tobacco products. His vehicle and mobile were subsequently seized by police.
Concurrently, a second 61-year-old man - also with known links to the same crime group, was stopped in his vehicle by NSW Police in Tweed heads after he was observed transporting and distributing tobacco to a tobacco retail outlet in Tweed City. Approximately AUD $39,800 cash, one mobile device, one box of tobacco and his vehicle was seized.
Both men were arrested and have since been charged with intent to defraud revenue contrary to Section 233BABAD of the Customs Act. Bail was granted and they will reappear on 27 July 2026 at Tweed Heads Local Court (61-year-old) and 13 August 2026 Ballina Local Court (63-year-old).
During the operation, inspectors from NSW Health issued short term closure orders on a tobacco retail outlet in Tweed City and Cabarita linked to the two offenders.
Simultaneous to the arrests, officers from the ITTF supported by AFP and NSW Health executed Customs Act warrants at a storage shed in Tweed Heads linked to the men and seized over 248,000 illicit cigarettes, 400 tobacco pouches, 14.2kgs of loose-leaf tobacco and 7200 vapes. The combined street value and duty evaded is over AUD $700 thousand.
Investigations into the criminal syndicate remain ongoing.
Quotes
ABF A/g Superintendent Ned Prastalo
"This operation underscores the power of swift, coordinated action all thanks to the close collaboration between partner agencies.
"The ABF and our partners in New South Wales are leading the way with the volume of domestic enforcement activities to stop dangerous criminal networks operating in the illicit tobacco space - and we hope this outcome sends a strong message to anyone involved in the trade."
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer
"The arrests and seizures struck at the core of one of Queensland's largest illicit tobacco criminal networks and disrupted a supply chain operating across state borders.
"This investigation shows how organised crime groups deliberately exploit multiple jurisdictions, which is why strong partnerships between the AFP, Australian Border Force, NSW Police Force and NSW Health are critical to identifying, targeting and dismantling these networks wherever they operate.
"We will continue to work closely with our partners to hold those involved at every level of the illicit tobacco trade to account, and to ensure criminal groups understand that sustained law enforcement action will follow."
NSW Health Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant
"NSW Health is committed to eliminating the scourge of illicit tobacco and one of the best ways to do this is continuing to work with our state and Commonwealth colleagues.
"As this operation shows, by working together we can successfully disrupt the trade and sale of illicit tobacco to the community."