Last month, the Australian Border Force (ABF)-led Illicit Tobacco Taskforce (ITTF) reached a three-year milestone, following its establishment in July 2018.
Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Jason Wood MP said the ITTF has done an exceptional job at protecting communities from the illicit tobacco market and the dangerous criminal organisations who operate it.
“Over the past three years, the ITTF has seized and destroyed over 264 tonnes of illicit tobacco and over 540 million cigarettes, with an estimated loss of revenue to the Commonwealth of over $870 million,” Assistant Minister Wood said.
“In addition to this, the ITTF has undertaken more than 25 operations which have which have successfully resulted in convictions and disruptions to organised crime groups trading in illicit tobacco,”
“These are outstanding achievements and I applaud the Taskforce for its ongoing dedication to combatting the illicit tobacco market.”
Profits from black market tobacco support a market dominated by serious and organised crime groups who use these proceeds to fund other harmful illegal activities.
“The sale of illicit tobacco significantly deprives the community and legitimate businesses of income, and places the money in the hands of criminal organisations,” Assistant Minister Wood said.
“Illicit tobacco crops are often grown using harmful pesticides and manufactured with dangerous chemicals which pose serious risks to health. Members of the public must consider what they are really buying.”
“I urge anyone who suspects illicit tobacco activity to be taking place to contact Border Watch. This can be done anonymously and can help keep your community safe.”
The ITTF combines the operational, investigative and intelligence capabilities of the ABF, Australian Taxation Office, Department of Home Affairs, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre and Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
