Illicit cigarettes, vapes seized in Canberra retailer raids
Authorities in Canberra have seized over 455,000 illicit cigarettes, 1,600 vapes, 26 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, 6,000 cigars, and approximately $27,000 in cash during raids on six retail outlets. The operation, led by the ACT government and Australian Border Force, targeted the black market tobacco trade and identified six persons of interest. Officials cited community concerns over links between illicit tobacco, organised crime, and unfair competition for legitimate businesses. The crackdown is part of a broader national effort to combat illegal tobacco and vape sales.
- ▪More than 455,000 illicit cigarettes were seized in raids on six Canberra retailers.
- ▪Approximately $27,000 in cash, 26 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, 6,000 cigars, and over 1,600 vapes were also seized.
- ▪Six persons of interest with known links to the illicit tobacco trade were identified during the operation.
- ▪The raids were conducted by ACT Policing, Access Canberra, Australian Border Force, and the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
- ▪Similar operations recently took place in New South Wales, where 23 retailers were shut down and hundreds of thousands of illicit products seized.
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Illicit cigarettes, vapes, cash seized in raids on Canberra's black market tobacco tradeBy James VyverTopic:Crime12m ago12 minutes agoWed 29 Apr 2026 at 5:44amACT and Commonwealth authorities launched a fresh crackdown on black market tobacco and vape sellers. (ABC News: Che Chorley)In short:Authorities have raided several Canberra businesses to seize almost half a million illicit cigarettes, as well as vapes and cash.The ACT government says the community is concerned about the black market tobacco trade.What's next?Six persons of interest have been identified, while the ACT's top cop points to a sustained crackdown.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).