South Australian police said two men were arrested as they seized more than 7 million cigarettes, 3.9 tons of loose tobacco, and A$9 million ($5.8 million) in cash, combing for what officials said totaled a A$22 million ($14.1 million) bust.
On May 6, Eyre Western Police stopped a vehicle containing a large quantity of illicit tobacco products. Further investigation led detectives to search an industrial premises in Adelaide’s northern suburbs, which was allegedly being used as a statewide distribution warehouse supplying retail outlets with illicit tobacco products.
Detective chief inspector Brett Featherby said the confiscation of products, assets, and cash would result in a “significant disruption to the criminal syndicates operating in South Australia.”
The bust follows a $1.5m seizure of illegal tobacco and $444,000 in cash in Mid North and Eyre Peninsula raids in April.
