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2 months ago
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More than 200,000 cigarettes, 16,000 vapes and 150kg of loose tobacco have been confiscated in busts linked to a multimillion-dollar illegal tobacco ring.
The massive haul of tobacco products came from six police raids across Western Australia's South West, Mid-West and Gascoyne regions.
Four raids on commercial and residential properties in Bunbury and Manjimup on Thursday unearthed 192,450 cigarettes, 130kg of loose tobacco, 16,085 vapes and $34,950 in cash.
Another 27,000 cigarettes, 32kg of tobacco and $21,000 in cash were seized when two retail and residential premises were raided in the Geraldton area on June 27.
More than 200,000 cigarettes, 16,000 vapes and 150kg of loose tobacco have been confiscated in busts linked to a multi-million-dollar illegal tobacco ring
The massive haul of tobacco products came from six police raids across Western Australia's South West, Mid-West and Gascoyne regions (some of the 16,000 seized vapes are pictured)
Police did not reveal whether any arrests had been made over the busts but said inquiries were ongoing.
It comes amid an illegal tobacco turf war in Victoria that has led to 60 arson attacks on businesses in the past 15 months.
The firebombings are linked to a conflict between crime syndicates, police say.
The Australian Tax Office and Victoria Police last week confirmed 3.3 tonnes of tobacco, more than $170,000 in cash and 11 firearms were seized as part of a joint investigation into the black market.
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