Authorities have revealed the scale of Geelong's illicit tobacco market after a coordinated enforcement operation led to one of the region's largest seizures of illegal tobacco and vaping products.
The week-long operation, known as Operation TEMPEST, targeted retail outlets suspected of selling illicit tobacco products across Geelong and surrounding suburbs. The operation was coordinated by the Australian Border Force's (ABF) National Disruption Group and involved Tobacco Licensing Victoria, Victoria Police, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the Sheriff's Office and Work Safe Victoria.
During the crackdown, officers inspected 10 retail outlets and seized more than 1.6 million illicit cigarettes, approximately 1.8 tonnes of loose-leaf tobacco, more than 5,400 illegal vapes, 11,107 nicotine pouches, and 2,013 nitrous oxide canisters. Investigators also confiscated more than $71,000 in cash, believed to be linked to illegal trading activities.
Authorities also identified seven persons of interest believed to have links to the illicit tobacco trade. In addition, officers recovered more than $76,000 in outstanding fines by executing 107 warrants during the operation. Five search warrants were also carried out at warehouses across Melbourne as investigators pursued wider supply networks connected to the Geelong raids.
Among the businesses searched were convenience stores and tobacco retailers in Geelong's CBD, Corio, Whittington, East Geelong and Belmont. Some premises had previously come under investigation for allegedly selling illegal tobacco and vaping products.
ABF Commander Greg Dowse said the operation demonstrated the value of intelligence sharing between state and federal agencies. He warned that purchasing cheap, illegal cigarettes does more than evade tobacco taxes, with profits often being used to finance organised crime, including drug trafficking and violent criminal activity.
Victoria has experienced a sharp rise in organised crime linked to the illicit tobacco market in recent years, with authorities responding through stronger licensing laws, tougher penalties and coordinated enforcement operations. Illegal tobacco sales have also been associated with violent disputes, including arson attacks and extortion targeting tobacco retailers.
Officials say Operation TEMPEST forms part of a broader national strategy to disrupt organised criminal networks involved in the illegal importation, distribution and sale of tobacco and vaping products. Investigations into those linked to the seized products remain ongoing, and further enforcement action has not been ruled out.
Authorities are urging members of the public to purchase tobacco products only from licensed retailers and to report suspected illegal tobacco sales to enforcement agencies. They say reducing consumer demand for illicit products is an important step in limiting the profits that fund organised criminal enterprises.
