Police have seized over $2.38 million worth of illicit tobacco and $430,000 in cash in raids on premises in regional and metropolitan South Australia.
Members from Serious and Organised Crime Branch, Financial and Cybercrime Investigation Branch, metropolitan districts and regional local service areas searched 27 premises in metropolitan and regional areas between 7 March and 11 March as part of Operation Eclipse investigations.
The locations searched included business premises, residential premises and storage locations.
On Friday 7 March, detectives from Serious and Organised Crime Branch attended at a business premises on Semaphore Road at Semaphore, where they spoke to two men. One of these men, a 49-year-old from Victoria was arrested after he found to be in possession of $30,000 cash. He was charged with Unlawful Possession and has been bailed to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on 4 April.
On Tuesday 11 March, officers from the Heavy Vehicle Enforcement section stopped a truck on the South-Eastern Freeway at Monteith. A search of this truck uncovered 6 pallets of illicit tobacco which had been transported into the South Australia from the eastern states.
Thie truck was towed to Ottoway impound, where it is estimated that the illicit tobacco found within the truck is estimated at a value of $1.5 million.
Yesterday (13 March) at 3am, police were called to a car which had been set on fire in Leonard Street at Melrose Park. The fire was extinguished, and when police were able conduct a search of the vehicle, they located 8000 illicit cigarettes and 3kg of illicit loose-leaf tobacco. Investigations were conducted by investigators from Southern CIB and Operation Eclipse, and a business premises which was identified as selling illicit tobacco products was located 600m form where the car was set on fire.
Detectives have conducted extensive enquiries in the area and are reviewing CCTV, to identify if any links exist between the arson of the vehicle and the business premises. Anyone who may have CCTV, Dashcam or may have information, and hasn’t yet spoken to Police is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Officer in Charge of Serious Crime Taskforce, Detective Chief Inspector Tim Rasch said the recent seizures demonstrates the value this illicit tobacco brings to the organised crime syndicates.
“These recent seizures clearly show that the organised crime syndicates are still active in the South Australian community” he said.
“SA Police will continue to investigate any information that may lead to the identity of the people involved in this illegal activity, and will continue to ensure that people are held accountable where sufficient evidence exists for a prosecution.”
Anyone with any information on criminal activities surrounding the sale of illicit tobacco is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestopperssa.com.au – you can remain anonymous.
