Northern Territory Police Drug and Organised Crime Division (DOCD) have executed a large illicit tobacco seizure earlier today.
On Friday 1 November, detectives from the DOCD attended a convenience store on Progress Drive in Nightcliff and conducted a lawful search after receiving intelligence relating to illegal tobacco products.
During the search, detectives located and seized a total of:
- 4.325 kg of illicit loose-leaf tobacco.
- 1,140 illicit tobacco cigarettes.
- 1,225.00 AUD in cash, allegedly being proceeds of the illicit sale of tobacco.
Infringements were issued to a 32-year-old man in relation to the seizure.
Constable Jimmy Parimeros said, “The purchase of illegal tobacco products directly funds organised crime groups, not just locally, but also interstate and overseas.”
Operation Hook was established to disrupt the sale and supply of illicit tobacco and vapes in the Northern Territory by interstate Organised Crime entities. Today’s seizure brings the total estimated value of illicit products seized during Operation Hook to $17.88 million AUD.
