Source : Perth Now news
The sale of illicit tobacco in Australia has been dealt another blow amid state-by-state clampdowns and hundreds of temporary closures.
On Wednesday, Victorian Police announced the closure of 61 stores caught selling illicit tobacco, with alleged links to organised crime.
Over four weeks, Victorian officers seized two million cigarettes, over 40,000 vapes, more than 120kg of loose tobacco and over half a million dollars in cash.
Responding to criticisms that crooks were dodging detection by only selling at night and on weekends, police now say inspectors could be deployed day or night, anywhere in the state.
It comes amid a nationwide crackdown spanning back to late 2025, with state-by-state legislative changes giving local authorities the power to shut down stores for selling black market cigarettes.
Data released on Monday showed legal tobacco sales in Queensland had increased 55 per cent, following a 10-day blitz in which 148 stores were closed.
SA also carried out a late 2025 blitz, shuttering 100 stores and seizing 41 million cigarettes, while recent regional busts in NSW have seen eight retailers closed and a quarter of a million cigarettes seized.
Victoria has continued to face what authorities say is the fallout from illegal tobacco sales, with a spate of suburban firebombings involving young offenders.
New enforcement powers which came into effect on September 9 allowing Victoria Police and Tobacco Licensing Victoria to issue 90-day closure notices to any store found to be selling illicit tobacco.
Stores caught selling illicit tobacco are plastered with a yellow closure notice which is an offence to remove.
Led by VIPER taskforce, Victoria’s crackdown specifically targets stores with ties to organised crime, many of which are being operated from offshore.
“I don’t think it’s slowing down,” said senior taskforce member, Detective Inspector Anthony Gasparini.
“There are thousands of stores out there that are selling illicit tobacco, and we’re aware of that.”
Some members of the community have expressed anger at police removing illicit cigarettes which generally cost around a quarter of the the legal version.
“There is a little bit of anger, and that’s because we’re taking away the cheap cigarettes,” Detective Inspector Gasparini said.
“We understand and are sympathetic about the cost of living.”
However, he said the sale of black market cigarettes was lining the pockets of organised criminals motivated only by greed with no regard for the harm on communities.
“There is no doubt these profits derived from the sale of illicit tobacco would be used to fund further criminal activities,” he said.
“That might be your arsons, your extortions, your drive-by shootings.”
Victorian Opposition Leader jess Wilson accused her state’s Labor government of being soft on crime, saying if elected she would legislate so fire bombings fall under tough “adult crime, adult time” laws.
