POLICE have arrested five people after a two-year operation targeting the growing and illegal sale of tobacco in Logan and South Brisbane.
Detectives raided 12 Waterford, Marsden, Logan Central, Heritage Park, Beenleigh, Springwood and Slacks Creek properties on Tuesday, part of Operation Romeo Serge.
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Australian Taxation Office and Queensland Health officers helped detectives conduct the raids.
Police say they found 4.5 tonnes of tobacco, $900,000 cash, 114,732 packets of cigarettes and 150,000 vapes containing nicotine.
They say offenders avoided more than $10 million in excise, and the seized tobacco had a street value of $24 million.
A 36-year-old Park Ridge South man will face charges of supplying tobacco in non-compliant packaging and possessing a regulated poison.
He will appear at Beenleigh Magistrates Court on July 19.
A 54-year-old Springwood man was been charged with possessing dangerous drugs, possession of 100kg of tobacco and dealing with money suspected of being proceeds.
A 55-year-old Rochedale South man has been charged with possession of 100kg of tobacco, importation of tobacco with intent to defraud and dealing with money suspected of being proceeds.
They will appear at Beenleigh Magistrates Court on July 15.
A 32-year-old Heritage Park man was charged with possession of a regulated poison and possession of 100kg of tobacco. He is scheduled to appear at Beenleigh Magistrates Court on July 28.
Acting Superintendent Tod Reid said the ATO was essential in detecting, investigating and prosecuting those who domestically grew or manufactured illicit tobacco products.
"Operation Romeo Serge has been a successful partnership between Queensland Police, Queensland Health and the Australian Taxation Office," he said.
"Through this operation, 2.7 million cigarettes and more than 4,675kg of loose tobacco worth approximately $10.42 million in lost excise revenue has been seized."
ATO assistant commissioner Ian Read said tobacco operations were not run by small producers or farmers.
"They are run by organised criminal syndicates who use the proceeds to fund their criminal behaviour well beyond the sale of illegal tobacco," Mr Read said.
"Retailers choosing to become involved in the sale of illegal tobacco gain an unfair price advantage over small business.
"Removing illicit tobacco from crop to shop creates a level playing field and also helps to stop organised crime syndicates from funding other activities."
Illicit tobacco costs the Australian community more than $800 million dollars in lost excise revenue each year. Engaging in the illicit tobacco trade significantly deprives the community of taxes that fund essential community services such as schools and hospitals.
"These results will have a major impact on these criminals and should serve as a warning to the criminal groups involved in this kind of activity," Mr Read said.
It has been illegal to grow tobacco in Australia for more than a decade and if convicted, carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment.
If you suspect that illicit tobacco is being grown, manufactured or sold in your community you can report it anonymously online at ato.gov.au/tipoff or by calling 1800 060 062.
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