Gympie and its Wide Bay region were at the centre of Australia’s biggest operation against illegal tobacco and vapes, with more than $20 million worth of illicit products seized in March, the state government has revealed.
The record-breaking raids from Central Queensland to Brisbane yielded the nation’s largest ever health authority haul of illegal cigarettes, tobacco and vapes, a spokesperson said.
More than 30 locations were targeted under the Queensland Health-led Operation Appaloosa, with support from the Queensland Police Service and the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Officers seized 76,000 vapes, 19 million cigarettes and 3.6 tonnes of loose tobacco, with a combined estimated street value of $20.8 million, the spokesperson said.
This came ahead of the issuing of more than $5 million in fines in the first week of massively increased penalties in Queensland.
The raids involved locations across Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Metro North, Metro South, and West Moreton.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls said new fines were the nation’s toughest and mean individuals can be fined $32,260 and businesses up to $161,300 if caught selling the products.
“In just the very first week of these new fines, illegal traders were hit with fines totalling $5,094,560,“ he said, comparing this to “less than $250,000 a week“ in the previous Government;s final months.
Mr Nicholls said organised crime gangs had previously been able to set up illegal chop shops in plain sight across the State, “putting our kids at great risk.”
