Key Takeaways
- A West Australian family has been charged over their alleged roles in an organised crime group involved in the sale of tonnes of illegal tobacco and vapes.
- The Australian Federal Police (AFP) seized $1 million in cash, five tonnes of tobacco products, and almost 30,000 vapes during a major operation in Western Australia’s South West and Peel regions.
- Three people, including a 26-year-old man, a 68-year-old man, and a 47-year-old woman, have been charged in connection with the seizure.
- The AFP has seized almost $4 million in cash, about 13 tonnes of illicit tobacco, and charged 10 people in WA over the last year in connection to tobacco syndicates.
- The state government is working on reforms to strengthen its tobacco laws, with the penalties for selling illicit tobacco or vapes in WA still among the weakest in the country.
Introduction to the Case
A recent operation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has led to the arrest and charging of a West Australian family over their alleged involvement in an organised crime group. The group is accused of selling tonnes of illegal tobacco and vapes, with the AFP seizing $1 million in cash, five tonnes of tobacco products, and almost 30,000 vapes during the operation. The arrests were made after a four-month investigation, which aimed to crack down on the sale of illicit tobacco in Western Australia’s South West and Peel regions.
The Raid and Arrests
The AFP raided homes, storage units, and a tobacconist in Perth’s southern suburbs and in the south-west of the state, resulting in the arrest of three people. A 26-year-old man, a 68-year-old man, and a 47-year-old woman were charged in connection with the seizure. The woman and her father were arrested at their homes in Coodanup and Eaton, where police allegedly found two cash counting machines and a total of $1.04 million in cash. The woman’s son-in-law was arrested separately at a shopping centre in Bunbury and charged after he refused to hand over access to his mobile phone to police.
The Investigation and Charges
The investigation is ongoing, with the AFP alleging that the seized products would have avoided millions of dollars in Commonwealth excise and taxes if they had been distributed illegally. The woman and her father have been charged with dealing in the proceeds of crime, while her son-in-law has been charged with failing to comply with an order. The AFP is also investigating links to broader organised crime syndicates being directed by individuals offshore and assets linked to the illicit tobacco trade.
The Impact of Illicit Tobacco
The illicit tobacco trade is a significant concern for law enforcement and the community, with AFP Commander Renee Colley stating that it is directly linked to acts of violence in the community. The trade is executed by organised crime groups in their pursuit of power and profit, putting people’s lives and livelihoods at risk. The recent fire bombings throughout Victoria and Western Australia are a testament to the violence associated with the illicit tobacco trade.
Taskforce Maverick and Reforms
The Western Australian police have established Taskforce Maverick in response to the escalating "tobacco war" violence. The taskforce has charged 11 people with a combined 51 offences, including criminal damage by fire, stealing, traffic, and drug offences. The state government is currently working on reforms to strengthen its tobacco laws, with the penalties for selling illicit tobacco or vapes in WA still among the weakest in the country. The reforms aim to address the issue of illicit tobacco and reduce the associated violence and crime.
Conclusion
The arrest and charging of the West Australian family is a significant step in the fight against organised crime and the illicit tobacco trade. The operation highlights the importance of a whole-of-community commitment to changing the perception and acceptance of illicit tobacco. The AFP and Western Australian police will continue to work together to disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups involved in the illicit tobacco trade, and the state government will work to strengthen its tobacco laws to prevent further violence and crime.