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Major illicit tobacco crackdown across Perth and Western Australia - Perth, WA
Smart summary
Authorities have seized more than 1.7 million illegal cigarettes, hundreds of kilograms of tobacco and thousands of vapes in a major joint operation.
Australian authorities have seized more than 1.7 million illegal cigarettes, 504 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, more than 9,500 vapes and 6,310 oral nicotine pouches during a major crackdown across Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The operation was reported today, 8 September 2026, and involved multiple federal and state agencies.
Known as Operation TEMPEST, the operation involved the Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Taxation Office, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Therapeutic Goods Administration, WA Health and WA Police, among other agencies. Authorities conducted activity at 66 locations across WA and the NT.
The seized products had an estimated street value of more than $814,000, while authorities estimated the operation prevented almost $4 million in foregone tax revenue. The scale of the seizure highlights the continuing efforts by Australian authorities to disrupt the illegal tobacco and nicotine trade.
Authorities say illicit tobacco activity has increasingly involved a range of businesses and distribution networks. The investigation is aimed at identifying people and organisations involved in importing, distributing and selling prohibited or untaxed tobacco and nicotine products.
For Perth and Western Australian communities, the operation represents a significant enforcement action against the illegal tobacco market. Investigators are continuing to examine evidence collected during the raids and other enforcement activity to determine the full extent of the networks involved.
The operation also reflects cooperation between agencies with different responsibilities, including border enforcement, taxation, policing, health regulation and criminal intelligence. Such joint operations allow authorities to target both the supply of illicit products and the financial activity surrounding their distribution.
The seizure of more than a million cigarettes and thousands of vaping products makes Operation TEMPEST one of the major illicit-tobacco enforcement developments reported in Western Australia today.
Authorities are continuing their investigations, and further action may follow as evidence from the operation is assessed.
OperationAuthoritiesTobaccoInvolvedActivity
Australian authorities have seized more than 1.7 million illegal cigarettes, 504 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, more than 9,500 vapes and 6,310 oral nicotine pouches during a major crackdown across Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The operation was reported today, 8 September 2026, and involved multiple federal and state agencies.
Known as Operation TEMPEST, the operation involved the Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Taxation Office, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Therapeutic Goods Administration, WA Health and WA Police, among other agencies. Authorities conducted activity at 66 locations across WA and the NT.
The seized products had an estimated street value of more than $814,000, while authorities estimated the operation prevented almost $4 million in foregone tax revenue. The scale of the seizure highlights the continuing efforts by Australian authorities to disrupt the illegal tobacco and nicotine trade.
Authorities say illicit tobacco activity has increasingly involved a range of businesses and distribution networks. The investigation is aimed at identifying people and organisations involved in importing, distributing and selling prohibited or untaxed tobacco and nicotine products.
For Perth and Western Australian communities, the operation represents a significant enforcement action against the illegal tobacco market. Investigators are continuing to examine evidence collected during the raids and other enforcement activity to determine the full extent of the networks involved.
The operation also reflects cooperation between agencies with different responsibilities, including border enforcement, taxation, policing, health regulation and criminal intelligence. Such joint operations allow authorities to target both the supply of illicit products and the financial activity surrounding their distribution.
The seizure of more than a million cigarettes and thousands of vaping products makes Operation TEMPEST one of the major illicit-tobacco enforcement developments reported in Western Australia today.
Authorities are continuing their investigations, and further action may follow as evidence from the operation is assessed.
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