General News
21 December, 2023
Illicit tobacco seized in Landsborough
Detectives from the Ballarat Divisional Response Unit have seized commercial quantities of illicit tobacco from a rural property in Landsborough. On Wednesday, December 13, detectives executed a search warrant on the property suspected of an illegal...
Detectives from the Ballarat Divisional Response Unit have seized commercial quantities of illicit tobacco from a rural property in Landsborough.
On Wednesday, December 13, detectives executed a search warrant on the property suspected of an illegal tobacco plantation as part of a major investigation into tobacco production in regional Victoria.
Police found and seized more than 80,000 tobacco plants, 1.3 tonne of dried tobacco stored in bales, 30 kilograms of loose dried tobacco and tobacco manufacturing equipment on the property.
A 47-year-old Landsborough man was arrested and interviewed on Wednesday, December 13. He is expected to be charged on summons. The investigation remains ongoing.
Ballarat Divisional Response Unit Detective Sergeant Brent McGuire said this is a continued effort to prevent illicit tobacco sales.
“The detrimental effects of illicit tobacco sales and its association with further criminal activities can significantly harm rural communities and businesses,” he said.
“Victoria Police remains unwavering in its resolve to investigate the unlawful production and trade of tobacco — such actions will not be tolerated within our regional communities.
“Police will continue to persist in disrupting the supply chain and dismantling any criminal networks that enable and profit from it.”
According to the Australian Taxation Office, nearly 120 acres of tobacco, 535 tonnes of green weight tobacco and 64 tonnes of dry weight tobacco have been seized and destroyed in rural Victoria since 2022, which has a combined value in excess of $103 million.
Anyone with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au