The Australian Border Force’s (ABF) National Disruption Group (NDG) has coordinated swift action across Victoria and Tasmania, targeting illegal tobacco and vaping markets, resulting in the:
Seizure of approximately 2 million illicit cigarettes, more than 1.97 tonnes of loose-leaf tobacco and more than 7,000 vaping devices and accessories
Seizure of more than AUD $71,000 cash
Identification of seven persons of interest in Victoria
More than $76,000 in debt collected
Estimated duty evaded of approximately $7.9 million.
Operation TEMPEST, led by the NDG, is a multi-phased joint agency operation using shared information and intelligence to detect, deter and disrupt illicit tobacco networks that threaten Australia’s borders and the community.
Partners in the NDG work collaboratively across Commonwealth, state and territory agencies to ensure that jurisdictional activities inform national efforts.
This coordinated approach maximises disruption to the illicit tobacco and vaping supply chains including import, storage, distribution and retail by mid-level criminals and enablers.
Intelligence fed into the NDG informed the coordinated high visibility week of action, which took place between Monday 15 and Friday 19 June 2026. 20 locations were targeted, including 12 retailers, three post depots and five warehouses, while six international flights into Melbourne were also screened for travellers attempting to smuggle illicit tobacco into the country.
Agencies involved included the ABF, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Victoria Police, Tobacco Licencing Victoria, Sheriff’s Office Victoria, Tasmanian Police and Department of Health Tasmania.
VIC week of action results
Inspectors from Tobacco Licencing Victoria supported by, TGA, Victoria Police, Sheriff’s Office Victoria and WorkSafe Victoria conducted inspections at nine retail outlets located across Geelong.
Concurrently, officers from Victoria Police, supported by the ABF, executed search warrants at five warehouses across Melbourne, while officers from the ABF-led Illicit tobacco taskforce executed search warrants at three retails shop fronts in Geelong and Cheltenham.
Combined results from these locations include:
Seizure of more than 1.6 million illicit cigarettes, 1.8 tonnes loose-leaf tobacco and more than 5,400 vaping devices,
Seizure of 11,107 nicotine pouches, 2,013 nitrous oxide canisters and more than AUD $71,015 cash,
More than $76,000 in debt collected from 107 outstanding warrants, and
Seven persons of interest located with known links to the illicit tobacco trade.
TAS week of action results
Across four freight forwarding facilities at St Leonards, Bridgewater, Goodwood and Mornington, Tobacco Control Officers from the Department of Health supported by Tasmania Police seized;
More than 365,000 illicit cigarettes, approximately 156kg loose leaf tobacco, and more than1,600 vaping devices.
The NDG will assess information gathered during the week of action to identify potential future disruption opportunities with partner agencies to further break the business model of illicit tobacco in Australia and create an increasingly hostile environment for criminal networks and enablers. Examples of activities that may be considered include:
Exploring revocation of transport and professional licenses
Financial and benefits assessments by Federal, Territory and State Authorities
Visa reviews by the Department of Home Affairs
Immediate information sharing with law enforcement and regulatory agencies.
The NDG currently has 29 external partnerships across Federal, State and Territory agencies, and industry sectors committed to supporting coordinated action led by the NDG.
Quotes
Australian Border Force – Commander Greg Dowse
“The Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group uses the powers, capabilities and intelligence of multiple state, territory and federal agencies for maximum disruption against the illicit tobacco supply chain – and the ABF are proud to lead the coordination of these efforts with our partners.
“It’s important to remember that the purchase of cheap, under the counter cigarettes funds other forms of serious crimes such as drug trafficking and violence.”
Therapeutic Goods Administration – Professor Anthony Lawler, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and Head of the TGA
“The TGA is committed to working with enforcement partners through the National Disruption Group to disrupt the supply of illicit vaping products. This work protects young Australians and the broader community from the health risks posed by unregulated and unlawful vapes.”
Quotes attributable to ACIC Acting Executive Director Mission Coordination and Analysis Wendy Darling.
“The fight against the illicit tobacco and vape trade remains a key priority, with outcomes driven by strong collaboration within the Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group.
“The ACIC continues to provide unique, actionable and insightful intelligence to inform our partners, disrupt organised crime and ensure ongoing community safety.”
Detective Inspector Anthony Gasparini, VIPER Taskforce
“Alongside our partner agencies, we continue to do everything we can to target syndicate leaders, directors, facilitators, and organisers responsible for the criminal offending directly linked to the illicit tobacco trade.
“We have been clear that this is no longer about simply the investigation of the individual incidents – this is about doing absolutely everything we can to deter, disrupt and dismantle these syndicates and those at the helm of them.
“These seizures – and their potential value of almost AUD $6 million in avoided excise – are significant, and their impact will undoubtedly be felt by the organised crime groups operating in this state. Victoria Police will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold those responsible for this offending to account, and these results are testament to that.”
Quotes attributable to Chief Operating Officer, Tobacco Licensing Victoria, Bree Oliver
“Tobacco Licensing Victoria is proud to work alongside our state, territory and federal partners, combining intelligence and enforcement efforts to disrupt the illicit tobacco supply chain.”
“The illicit tobacco trade is not a victimless crime. It funds organised crime and undermines legitimate businesses across Victoria.”
Quotes attributable to Sheriff of Victoria Julie Brown
“The Sheriff’s Office works in partnership with our law enforcement colleagues to disrupt criminal activity in Victoria.”
“Operations like this are critical to ensuring people are held accountable for their actions and that there are consequences for serious offending.”
Detective Inspector Troy Morrisby, Crime and Intelligence Command, Tas Police
“Tasmania Police continues to work closely with our enforcement partners to dismantle the criminal networks driving the illicit tobacco and vaping trade, targeting offenders, and seizing not only illegal products but also the cash associated with the sale of those products, to hold those responsible to account.”
Department of Health, Tasmania – Chief Executive, Public Health Services George Clarke
“The Tasmanian Department of Health values its strong relationships with partner agencies. We acknowledge the benefits of leveraging the collective skills, knowledge, and capabilities of the National Disruption Group to deliver coordinated and connected operations targeting illicit tobacco and vapes in our state.
“This National Disruption Group-led week of action is an example of the impact this approach can have on disrupting illicit operators, who aim to undermine public health measures designed to reduce smoking rates and prevent uptake, particularly among our young people.”
VIC vision can be downloaded here and images downloaded here
TAS vision can be downloaded here and images downloaded here
