From: Department of Immigration and Border Protection – Australian Government
The Australian Border Force (ABF) has seized more than four million illicit cigarettes after they were shipped to Australia from Korea.
The cigarettes had a potential street value of up to $3.5 million and the total amount of duty evaded is $2.2 million.
On 29 July, ABF officers located the cigarette sticks comprising the ‘Otto’ and ‘Figure’ brands.
The contents of the container, originating in Korea, were declared as toilet seat covers and trash cans.
The ABF subsequently led an operation to identify and arrest the alleged importer. ABF officers arrested a 43-year-old Korean national and executed a search warrant at a residential property in Auburn, Sydney late Tuesday night.
Acting Commander Lesley Dalton said the ABF is actively investigating and working to dismantle the importation of illicit tobacco at the border.
‘The dangerous health risks associated with cigarettes are well known; however, illicit cigarettes pose an even greater risk as the source of the tobacco and the conditions in which it is manufactured are unknown,’ Acting Commander Dalton said.
This seizure follows the attempted importation of 2.5 tonnes-or 1.5 million sticks- of illicit cigarettes and the arrest of four Korean nationals in Sydney in June and the seizure of 13 million smuggled cigarettes in Melbourne in April.
‘The ABF is committed to reducing the illicit tobacco trade in Australia and these results reinforce this,’ Acting Commander Dalton said.
The Korean national has been charged with Customs Act offences in relation to smuggling and possession of illicit tobacco products.
