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The action was part of the Tax Office’s crackdown on the $8 billion shadow economy.
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ATO seizes over 270k illicit cigarettes from Queensland retailers
12 December 2022
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The ATO has seized over 270,000 illicit cigarettes and 33kg of tobacco from retailers on the Sunshine Coast and three people have been arrested and charged.
The haul came after search warrants were issued against three tobacconists for an operation jointly conducted by the Tax Office, Queensland Police and the Queensland Department of Health.
It follows a $685 million boost in the recent budget for the ATO program to crack down on the $8 billion shadow economy.
“Retailers choosing to become involved in the sale of illegal tobacco gain an unfair price advantage over honest businesses who are doing the right thing,” said ATO acting deputy commissioner Jade Hawkins.
“This was a co-ordinated illegal enterprise, and the ATO is committed to disrupting those who produce and supply illicit tobacco for sale in the shadow economy of Australia.”
“Although most people do the right thing, some people and businesses deliberately avoid meeting their obligations. What’s more, participating in the shadow economy reduces the funds available for essential community services, such as health and education.”
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Queensland police have charged a 54-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman with two counts of possession of tobacco 5kgs or above, four counts of selling or supplying tobacco products in non-compliant retail packaging, and two counts of receiving tainted property.
Police also charged a 49-year-old woman with one count each of selling and supplying tobacco products in non-compliant retail packaging and receiving tainted property.
The ATO warned that retailers who became involved in the illicit tobacco trade could face substantial sanctions such as a civil penalty of up to $22,200 or a criminal conviction with a prison sentence of up to five years.
Queensland Department of Health officers also seized over 9,000 illegal vape products during the operation.
“Under the Medicines and Poisons Act 2019 (QLD), nicotine vaping products are illegal unless supplied by a pharmacist on prescription or obtained through an approved Therapeutic Goods Administration process,” a spokesperson from the department said.
“If you think a retailer (other than a pharmacy) is selling vapes that contain nicotine or selling vapes to anyone under 18 years of age, please report it to your public health unit.”
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