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Fourteen people have been arrested following the uncovering of $4.8 million worth of illicit tobacco during an ATO VIPER Taskforce investigation.
ATO VIPER taskforce arrests 14 people in latest illicit tobacco blitz
17 April 2025
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8 minute read
Last week, detectives from the VIPER taskforce and Victorian Police conducted warrants at 12 tobacco stores in Melbourne, resulting in the arrest of 14 people.
In a joint statement, the ATO and Victoria Police revealed the executed warrants at 12 tobacco stores across Melbourne were carried out as part of the ongoing investigation by Taskforce Luna into organised crime syndicates in the illicit tobacco trade.
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In addition to the arrest of 14 people, detectives seized 14,593 vapes with a street value of over $729,650 profit, 681,368 cigarettes, which represented $953,915 of avoided excise and over 305kg of loose-leaf tobacco worth $650,388 of avoided excise.
Over $22,500 in cash was also seized, along with three conducted electricity devices and a baton.
The warrants were executed from 7 to 11 April, and members of the taskforce were joined by representatives from the ATO and the Therapeutic Goods Administration, who also conducted warrants at the stores.
Justin Shields, detective acting inspector for the VIPER taskforce, said the warrants in support of the Taskforce Luna investigation into organised crime syndicates were a strong demonstration of state and commonwealth agencies working together to target illicit tobacco.
“We have been clear that this is no longer about simply the investigation of the individual incidents – this is about doing absolutely everything we can to deter, disrupt and dismantle these syndicates and those at the helm of them,” he said.
“This includes the targeting of anyone across Victoria who is involved in the distribution and sale of illicit tobacco, at any level. Ultimately, this is contributing to enabling those organised crime syndicates to operate here in Victoria.”
The police attended the 12 stores which were allegedly linked to two of the organised crime syndicates in Altona Meadows, Truganina, Craigieburn, Broadmeadows, Tullamarine, Mill Park, Bundoora, Weir Views, Watsonia, Altona North, Prahan and Hawthorn.
The arrested individuals were interviewed in relation to the offenses of possessing tobacco and proceeds of crime and were expected to be charged on summons, according to the ATO and Victoria Police.
ATO assistant commissioner, Jade Hawkins, said the ATO, police and taskforces would continue their mission to eradicate illicit tobacco.
“These arrests and the seizure of illicit tobacco products demonstrate the ATO’s ongoing commitment to supporting our partners in removing it from the community while creating a level playing field for legitimate businesses,” she said.
“We’ll continue to work with our partners to detect, disrupt and dismantle the organised crime syndicates who are using profits from selling illicit tobacco to fund other serious illegal activities. By doing this, it ensures there will be financial and criminal implications for those who are involved.”
This arrest and tobacco seizure followed the same operation run by the VIPER taskforce from 21 November to 2 December 2024 which included the execution of 16 search warrants across regional and metropolitan Melbourne.
The 16 warrants found 582,335 cigarettes with an avoided excise of $791,975, over 745kg of loose-leaf tobacco with an avoided excise worth $1,565,907, over $131,000 in cash and over 3,400 vapes with a street value profit of over $170,000.
Shields said Victoria Police, detectives and investigators would continue to work towards responsibility for tobacco and vape enforcement and compliance, urging anyone with information about these incidents and who was responsible to come forward.
“While people’s lives remain at risk due to this heightened criminal activity, we will continue to target these organised crime syndicates and do everything we can to hold them accountable.”
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