THE Australian Taxation Office (ATO), with support from Victoria Police, has seized and destroyed more than 20-tonne of illicit tobacco from a property northeast of Shepparton. A search warrant was executed Thursday June 5 and revealed a mature tobacco crop spanning nearly six acres. Officers also seized several trays of tobacco seedlings from the property. The estimated excise value of the illicit tobacco uncovered under Operation Ocean is $4.4 million. ATO Assistant Commissioner Jade Hawkins commended the results of the operation, with the destruction of tobacco crops showing the ATO’s removing illicit tobacco from the community. "These operations are run by criminal syndicates, not farmers or producers," Ms Hawkins said. "They put the Australian community at risk when they use profits from these activities to fund other serious crimes." Operation Ocean adds to the 90 completed illicit tobacco operational activities between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2024. "A wave of illicit tobacco has been stopped in its tracks, with this warrant activity surfacing thanks to a tip-off from the community," Ms Hawkins said. Community tip-offs are one of the ATO’s best sources of information as they provide crucial information to assist in the fight against illicit tobacco. It’s illegal to grow tobacco in Australia without the appropriate excise licence and currently no one is licensed to do so. Signs that land is being used to grow, manufacture or produce illicit tobacco include: • construction activities along creeks and rivers on private and public land; • unexplained and potentially unlawful use of water resources; • vans with no markings being loaded with cardboard boxes, at odd hours of the day and night; • the sound of machinery running overnight; and • excessive security measures such as cameras, locks or guards. If you suspect that illicit tobacco is being grown, manufactured, or sold in your community, you can confidentially report it to the ATO online at ato.gov.au/tipoff, or phone 1800 060 062. Visit ato.gov.au/illicittobacco to learn more about the signs of tobacco plants and what to look out for in your community.
