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NSW Premier Chris Minns is calling on the federal government to step in to clean up the illegal tobacco black market, claiming it’s taking over the streets.
Minns is suggesting that police officers should be taken off major crime investigations to crackdown on the spiralling issue.
Fire bombings, drive-by shootings, armed robberies and gang warfare are the underbelly of illegal tobacco spreading on Sydney and NSW streets.
It’s currently policed by the health department, but Minns wants change.
“We want the health department running hospitals, not conducting criminal investigations,” he said.
There are about 20 compliance officers across the state and they’re actively recruiting.
There’s just a single officer in southern NSW responsible for policing illegal tobacco and vape sales in an area the same size as Denmark.
Opposition health minister Kellie Sloane said: “It’s like shooting a water pistol at a tidal wave.”
The premier suggested handing the responsibility to the already stretched police force.
Sources told 9News officers were not happy, and that it would leave critical areas understaffed.
Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said: “This is a matter of blame shifting by Chris Minns.
“Clearly you need more resourcing than you have at the moment.”
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers all but ruled out cutting the tobacco excise, designed to drive down cigarette smoking, instead delivering an extra $157 million in funding to police the issue.