From: ABC News
Australians may not equate illegal tobacco smuggling with drug trafficking or terrorism fundraising, but senior border security officials are warning it may be fuelling both and posing a national security risk.
Key points:
- Illegal tobacco smuggling in Australia linked to terrorism and drug trafficking, AFP warns
- Concerns Middle Eastern crime gangs are sending tobacco proceeds overseas
- As Government raises prices of cigarettes, demand for illegal tobacco grows
In an exclusive interview with the ABC’s 7.30 program and Fairfax Media, Australian Federal Police assistant commissioner Wayne Buchhorn — who has been seconded to Australian Border Force (ABF) — said he had “significant” concerns that some of the proceeds of the booming illicit tobacco smuggling trade into Australia were flowing to extremist groups overseas.
“We are seeing crime gangs here in Australia, oftentimes Middle Eastern organised crime gangs, and the connections back into the Middle East … [are] a significant concern for us in the current environment,” he said.
