ABF seized huge amounts of cash and large quantities of smuggled cigarettes from China. (photo of Australian Customs and Excise Service)
The Australian Border Service, (ABF), recently seized an organized criminal syndicate, seized 2.9 tons of tobacco, more than three hundred thousand cigarettes and 96,999 Australian dollars in cash, and arrested three people, including a Chinese citizen.
ABF said in a statement today that on Feb. 28, ABF detected 1560 kilograms of bulk tobacco in a container in Sydney that had arrived in Australia from China and described as "polyester fabric." In another Chinese shipment to Australia, authorities seized another 1320 kilograms of bulk tobacco in containers also described as "polyester fabrics." The two shipments of smuggled tobacco leaves had a total tax evasion of up to A $3.3 million.
ABF seized huge amounts of cash and large quantities of smuggled cigarettes from China. (photo of Australian Customs and Excise Service)
On March 25 and 26, ABF investigators executed a number of search warrants in Sydney, including a warehouse in Kinsgrove (Kingsgrove), a warehouse and a shop in Auburn (Auburn), and a home in Westmead (Westmead).
Three people have been arrested, including a 30-year-old Chinese citizen and two Australian citizens, 56 and 37, respectively. In addition, the authorities have seized an illegal non-citizen, he will wait to be deported.
Police Superintendent Fleming (John Fleming), head of investigation in the new state of ABF, said investigators had once again smashed a mature and highly organized criminal gang, arresting eight people after a 10-month investigation. A total of 5 million cigarettes and 5 tons of bulk tobacco were seized.
Mr. Fleming said the ABF was very successful in gathering intelligence and in doing so wiped out criminal gangs from top to bottom to ensure that the smuggled goods did not flow into the Australian market.
"We will continue to do everything we can to curb these groups that defraud the legitimate revenues of the federal government, and they often divert profits into other organized crime," he added.
Under Australian law, smuggling tobacco faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to five times the tax evasion.
Australia`s black-market tobacco tax evasion is estimated at about A $600m a year, so investigating and eliminating the crime is a top priority for the ABF.
