POLICE have raided Mansfield Tobacco Station Group (TSG) for the second time in six months, seizing a number of illicit items and approximately $7500 in cash.

Police executed a commonwealth search warrant for illegal imported tobacco, as part of their ongoing efforts to stop the “tobacco wars” between rival organised crime groups.

Sergeant Aaron Diwell said Mansfield police raided the Chenery Street establishment in early February this year but said the store “continued to offend”.

During today’s second raid, police seized approximately 10 thousand cigarettes which have allegedly been imported from Asia and Europe, 800 vapes and $7500 in cash.

A previous statement from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) advised that from March 1, 2024, the importation of all non-therapeutic vapes were prohibited.

Sergeant Diwell confirmed the store’s shopkeeper had been arrested and was currently assisting with their enquiries.

“The proprietor of the store is not in Mansfield at the moment, but we will be speaking to them,” Sergeant Diwell said.

“The bottom line is if they are going to continue to offend and sell illegal vapes to kids in Mansfield, we are going to disrupt their business and execute search warrants.

“ After today’s raid, there is nothing special about this store, only the lawful products remain.”

Sergeant Diwell urged the Mansfield community to report any suspicious activity to police or Crime Stoppers, especially if the activity involved the sale of illicit items to children.