Australian Border Force seizes more than 4,000 illegal e-cigarettes involving the brand IGET

Australian Border Force seizes more than 4,000 illegal e-cigarettes involving the brand IGET

 

The Australian Border Force (ABF) seized more than 4,000 e-cigarettes in New South Wales (NSW), and the e-cigarette brand IGET was involved in the seized products. These illegal items were found in three tobacco shop inspections in the Central Coast area, and it is reported that these shops are linked to organized crime.

 

According to News. Au on August 13, the Australian Border Force (ABF) seized more than 4,000 e-cigarettes in one day, and the e-cigarette brand IGET was involved in the seized products.

 

The ABF seized more than 4,000 e-cigarettes and about 110,000 illegal tobacco cigarettes in New South Wales (NSW). These illegal items were found in three tobacco shop inspections in the Central Coast area, and it is reported that these shops are linked to organized crime.

ABF seized more than 4,000 e-cigarettes in New South Wales (NSW) Source: ABF

 

The crackdown was part of a major interstate operation, in which a total of 9,338 disposable e-cigarettes, 742,811 cigarettes and 76 kilograms of loose leaf tobacco were seized.

 

Erin Dale, interim Illegal Tobacco and E-cigarette Commissioner (ITEC), said that combating illegal e-cigarettes requires a "multi-jurisdictional response", with the profitability of combating organized crime being a key factor.

 

"During this operation, officers found that illegal tobacco was being sold under the counter at a discount - which not only evaded taxes, but also facilitated the behavior of criminal gangs that smuggled and supplied these products."

 

"Similarly, cheap and now banned e-cigarette products were also prominently displayed to customers in some stores."

 

ABF Commander Ken McKern said that organized crime gangs were "highly adaptable and resilient" and combating the illegal tobacco market was a major focus of the ABF.

 

"Criminal networks view the illicit tobacco market as a low-risk, high-reward commodity - these organised crime gangs are highly adaptable and resilient. Following a raid, products are often moved or new stores are quickly opened in other locations."

 

"We will continue to disrupt the business model of these criminal gangs, and some of the best ways to do this is to work with partner agencies, share intelligence and use all available agency powers and laws to dismantle these criminal operations."

 

This latest crackdown comes nearly a week after the Australian Border Force-led Illegal Tobacco Task Force (ITTF) seized more than $5 million worth of suspected nicotine e-cigarettes and an estimated $3.8 million worth of cigarettes and tobacco products.

 

ABF ITTF Commander Penny Spies said the illicit tobacco market was attractive to organised crime gangs "due to the huge profits generated by tax evasion".

 

"These profits fund lavish lifestyles and are pumped back into organised crime activities."