More than $20m worth of illegal cigarettes and vapes have been seized in Queensland, in the nations’ largest haul of its type by a health authority.
State Health Minister Tim Nicholls said Queensland Health, supported by the Queensland Police Service and the Therapeutic Goods Administration, raided more than 30 locations across Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Metro North, Metro South, and West Moreton in March.
Minister Nicholls said Operation Appaloosa resulted in 76,000 vapes, 19 million cigarettes and 3.6 tonnes of loose tobacco, with a combined street value of $20.8 million, being seized.
“Queensland has stepped up the war against illicit tobacco and dangerous vapes, with the nation’s largest ever haul of illegal products by a health authority.”
He said the operation came just before the April commencement of new on-the-spot fines for the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes, where individuals faced fines of $32,260 and businesses up to $161,300 if caught selling illicit tobacco and vapes.
“In just the very first week of these new fines, illegal traders were hit with fines totalling $5,094,560.”
He said the Government was determined to keep dangerous vapes out of the hands of children by stamping out illegal chop shops.
“We need to do everything possible to keep dangerous illegal vapes away from Queensland’s young people, which is why we’ve boosted enforcement and introduced serious new fines.
“We’re hitting these illegal traders where it hurts most, by seizing their illicit goods to deprive them of generating a profit and hitting them with the nation’s toughest fines.”
