MILLIONS of dollars-worth of illicit tobacco was uncovered during a raid on a Lake Bolac property last week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With the assistance of Victoria Police and the Australian Border Force, Australian Taxation Office officials discovered 31.4 acres of mature tobacco worth around $37 million after a warrant was executed at the south-west property on Friday.
The illicit product, around 28,000 kilograms worth, was growing on a landlocked section of the private property.
Almost eight acres of tobacco was also uncovered during a raid at Landsborough, bringing the total excise value across the two properties to almost $38 million.
There was also a manufacturing facility located during the Landsborough search, including three kilns in use and storage facilities for processed tobacco leaf.
There have now been three seizures in Victoria this month, following the seizure of 47.5 tonnes of illicit tobacco in Nhill with a potential excise value of $7.8 million. That brings the total of tobacco seized in Victoria this month to over 300 tonnes with a potential excise value of over $45 million.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Shane Strong said the community has an important role to play in identifying and reporting suspected illicit tobacco crops.
"We are grateful to the member of the public who reported the Landsborough crop to us, resulting in this seizure of a significant amount of illicit tobacco," he said.
"Public tip offs build on the intelligence we gather from a range of sources and help us to identify, seize and destroy these illicit crops before they are harvested and sold on the black market."
"The trade in illicit tobacco products in Australia deprives the community of tax revenue that is required to fund essential community services such as hospitals, roads and schools, as well as funding other organised criminal activity."
The ATO estimates that illicit tobacco costs the Australian community $647 million in lost revenue each year.It has been illegal to grow tobacco in Australia for more than a decade.
If convicted, growing tobacco carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years' jail.
"If you see a crop of tobacco, you can be certain it is not legal. Tobacco growing operations are not run by small producers or farmers. They are run by organised criminal syndicates who deliberately engage in illegal activities," Mr Strong said.
The ATO is part of the Illicit Tobacco Taskforce (ITTF), which was established to investigate, prosecute and dismantle organised crime groups who use the proceeds of illicit tobacco to fund other criminal activity, as well as ensure the appropriate revenue is paid to the Australian Government.
If you suspect that illegal tobacco is being grown or manufactured in your community you can confidentially report it online at ato.gov.au/illicittobacco or by calling 1800 060 062.
For more information about illicit tobacco, visit ato.gov.au/illicittobacco.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.