A Lamborghini Coupe was seized by police during the raids. Picture:Victoria Police
A Lamborghini Coupe has been seized, 27 properties raided across Victoria and eight people arrested and charged with running a $30 million criminal syndicate.
The raids were part of multiagency investigations into the illegal tobacco trade. The raids on Wednesday, October 23, involved 130 officers.
The Australian Border Force (ABF), who took part, said the syndicate allegedly leased stores, employed staff and began deliveries under the guise of legitimate gifts and sweet stores but selling only illegal tobacco products.
Investigators seized records which showed more than $30m was made in 12 months through the sale of illegal tobacco in these stores.
The ABF said that at 5am on Wednesday, October 23, officers raided three industrial properties in Truganina as well as homes in Truganina, Hoppers Crossing (three properties), Glen Waverley, Lara, Grovedale, Footscray and Mount Cottrell and tobacco stores in Herne Hill, Bell Park, Grovedale, Werribee (two), Dallas, Kensington, Boronia, Ararat (three), Kyabram, Echuca (two) and Yarrawonga.
A 25-year-old Hoppers Crossing man was arrested at Melbourne Airport just before 6am and charged with directing a criminal organisation, fraud, possessing the proceeds of crime and sell/distribute e-cigarettes. He was due to appear in Melbourn Magistrates Court later on Wednesday.
Four other people were arrested and have been charged with the same offences.
Two other males were arrested and charged in Ararat and a 38-year-old male in Werribee. A 50-year-old Mount Cotterill man and 21-year-old Yarrawonga man were interviewed and released but are expected to be charged, the ABF says.
The ABF says a Lamborghini Coupe and Range Rover were seized at Hoppers Crossing address, at least 600,000 tobacco sticks, over 75kg of loose-leaf tobacco, cash utilities and vans.
OFFICIAL REACTION
Victoria Police Crime Command Assistant Commissioner Martin O’Brien says the operation will disrupt the illegal tobacco trade.
“These were significant players who we believe were directing the activity of a criminal organisation, turning a huge profit at the expense of others,” he says.
“We have said a number of times that Victoria Police is focused on targeting syndicate leaders, directors, facilitators and organisers.
“That remains critical for us, and we are doing absolutely everything we can to bring this criminality to an end and to make involvement in illicit tobacco as hostile a proposition as possible for organised crime groups.”
ABF Assistant Commissioner, Tony Smith says the ABF will work closely with partner agencies to target the illegal tobacco trade.
Australian Tax Office Acting Assistant Commissioner Justin Clarke says organised crime costs around $60 billion each year.
Anyone with information about any serious crime linked to the trade is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or vis www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
