Share and Follow
Two brothers from Perth have appeared in court, charged with the possession of over five tonnes of illegal tobacco products.
According to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the seized items included vapes, tobacco, and cigarettes, all reportedly connected to a nationwide criminal syndicate.
The discovery was made in a seemingly ordinary warehouse located in Wangara, which was found to be filled with boxes allegedly concealing the illicit tobacco.
The AFP has linked these products to a rise in violent incidents across Australia.
“Incidents such as firebombings and acts of extortion have endangered innocent people and their businesses,” stated Detective Acting Superintendent Matt Taylor.
“This is also a threat to Australia’s national security.”
The AFP executed multiple search warrants in August, including searching five storage units and a Dianella home, and uncovered five tonnes of allegedly illegal tobacco.
More than 4 million cigarettes were seized, as well as close to 900 kilograms of loose leaf tobacco and nearly 50,500 vapes.
Police say if sold illegally, it would see $8 million in Commonwealth excises and taxes avoided, instead going into the pockets of an alleged national organised crime syndicate.
“Organised crime controls and reaps multimillion-dollar profits from this black market trade which has led to violent crimes here in WA and across Australia,” Taylor said.
Two Perth brothers have been arrested over seizure, Hossain and Mousa Al Monsouri, both in their early 30s.
The maximum penalty for possessing more than 1000 times the commercial quantity of vapes is seven years behind bars and a fine of $1.65 million
The brothers are due back in court next month.