The South Australian Government has worked in partnership with the Federal Government to take thousands of illicit vaping devices and more than 100 kilograms of illicit tobacco products off the streets.
Last week, as part of Taskforce Morpheus, Australian Border Force officers and Consumer and Business Services (CBS) staff raided two businesses in Adelaide’s northern suburbs, seizing illicit cigarettes, tobacco pouches, shisha packs, disposable vapes and vape liquid with an estimated street value of approximately $160,000.
“This is part of our ongoing crackdown on the illegal tobacco and vape market and the criminals who target our children,” said Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Chris Picton.
“Vapes are full of nasty chemicals and getting them off the streets and off shelves will help keep them out of the hands and lungs of our kids.
“We’ll continue to do everything we can to stifle this illegal trade that’s causing so much harm in our community,” he said.
In total, officers seized:
- 2,372 disposal vapes;
- 81 packs of vape liquid;
- 115 cartons of cigarettes;
- 497 packs of cigarettes;
- Two and a half kilograms worth of tobacco pouches;
- 45 packs of refilled cigarette tubes;
- 4 tins of cigars;
- More than 125 kilograms of shisha.
Investigations into the businesses are continuing with CBS weighing up potential enforcement options including fines or prosecution.
The joint raids follow on recent raids by CBS, in which more than $80,000 worth of tobacco and tobacco products were seized.
“The Malinauskas Labor Government is continuing to tackle the significant public health threat posed by illicit tobacco and vapes and the criminals who sell them,” said Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs, Andrea Michaels.
“It’s only been six weeks since my agency, Consumer and Business Services, assumed responsibility and we are already seeing an astonishing amount of black market product seized.
“This demonstrates the enormity of the task ahead of us.
“However, it also serves as a strong message – if you’re dealing in dodgy tobacco and vapes, we will catch you,” she said.
The Federal Government has established the Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette Commissioner to coordinate law enforcement and regulatory health agencies at federal and state levels to address the serious organised crime, health and public safety issues of illicit tobacco.
The SA Government has invested an additional $16 million to create a dedicated taskforce within Consumer and Business Services (CBS) to crack down on this growing illegal trade, with the Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs and her agency assuming responsibility for the sale and supply of tobacco and vapes on July 1.
As a result, there are more inspectors out enforcing compliance with licensing and sale of tobacco and vaping products regulations in South Australia to stamp out criminal activity.
To report illegal tobacco or vape dealers, visit www.cbs.sa.gov.au/tobacco.
