NSW POLICE
Two men have been charged after illegal tobacco worth more than $500,000 was found when a truck crashed near Grafton yesterday morning.
In a statement, NSW Police said that at around 4am on Sunday, emergency services were called to the Pacific Highway, Tucabia, 25km east of Grafton, following reports of a crash.
“Officers attached to Coffs/Clarence Police District attended and found a truck had left the roadway, before rolling and landing on its side,” NSW Police said.
“Two men, both aged 19, were able to get out of the truck uninjured; however, when the truck was checked, 125 boxes containing loose-leaf tobacco was discovered.
“The boxes weighed in at about 2.5 tonnes which have an estimated potential street value of $500,000. Police have been advised this is a total excise loss of more than $1 million.”
The men were arrested and taken to Grafton Police Station where they were charged with convey/possess tobacco products reckless re defraud revenue, deal with property proceeds of crime greater than $100,000, and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle).
The driver was charged with an additional offence being possess means of disguising face with intent commit indictable offence.
They were bail refused to appear before Grafton Local Court today.
