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Raids with the police found unlawful crops on 42 acres of regional Victoria.
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ATO seizes and destroys over $31 million in illicit tobacco
23 February 2023
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The ATO and Victorian police have seized and destroyed more than $31 million worth of illicit tobacco in raids on regional properties.
ATO assistant commissioner Jade Hawkins said the operations successfully disrupted organised crime operations.
“Organised criminals utilise small producers and farmers to grow illicit tobacco to benefit their network,” said Ms Hawkins. “More than 40 acres of mature tobacco plants were detected in Victoria and represent a significant investment of criminal effort
“Criminals use illicit tobacco as a cash crop to fund other illegal activities.
“Evading excise duty on tobacco costs the community millions of dollars that could be spent on essential community services.”
The raids on two regional properties in Victoria, one in Nathalia and the other in Katunga, were prompted by an anonymous tip-off from a member of the community.
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Ms Hawkins said community tip-offs were the best way for the organisations to crack down on illicit activity.
“People in the community are one of the best sources of intelligence that we have. Their eyes and ears in their own backyards help us to identify and shut down criminal activities,” said Ms Hawkins.
“Peak growing season for illicit tobacco is between November to May. Members of the community that notice unusual farm works, earthworks along creeks or riverbeds and large, leafy plant crops that resemble kale, cabbage or corn can report it anonymously to the ATO.”
Since January 2022 the ATO has seized and destroyed more than 119.5 acres of tobacco crops and other tobacco products with a combined excise value over $103 million.
Growing tobacco has been illegal in Australia for more than a decade with penalties for growing, selling, or possessing illicit tobacco of up to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of at least $412,500.
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