Crime and Public Safety

5 Million Cigarettes, 7 Tonnes of Tobacco: Smuggling Ring Busted as Police Raid Criminal Gang

Police have arrested 2 men, who they allege are members of a criminal syndicate, for importing large quantities of tobacco-related products.
5 Million Cigarettes, 7 Tonnes of Tobacco: Smuggling Ring Busted as Police Raid Criminal Gang
The alleged ringleader of a criminal syndicate which illegally imported over 5 million cigarettes, 5,000 vapes and 7 tonnes of loose-leaf tobacco is led away by police after his arrest on Tuseday, Sept. 9, 2025. Photo courtesy Australian Federal Police
Rex Widerstrom
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Five million cigarettes are among the vast quantities of tobacco products police allege a single criminal gang illegally imported into Australia over a 10-month period.

Their smuggling and distribution racket was ended when the Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (JOCTF) raided properties across Melbourne on Sept. 9.

Rex Widerstrom
Rex Widerstrom
Author
Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.