Australia and China cooperate to bust illegal tobacco smuggling syndicate

Australian and Chinese authorities collaborated to dismantle a significant illegal tobacco smuggling ring, seizing tobacco products worth $92 million. More than 60 people were arrested in China, and 60 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco were seized. Over 60 million cigarettes were also seized, valued based on the taxes avoided. This operation, known as Operation Trailblazer, involved searching 112 containers flagged by Chinese authorities, with 91 containers confirmed to contain illicit tobacco.

The syndicate had shipped the contraband through South-East Asia, with shipments arriving in Sydney. The Australian Border Force (ABF) noted that this marked one of the most significant seizures of illicit tobacco, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in combating transnational crime. The surge in illegal tobacco consumption in Australia, estimated at 80% of all tobacco products, has led to calls for a reduction in the tobacco excise.

However, the federal government maintains that cutting the excise is unlikely to curb the criminal trade and has instead intensified enforcement efforts. Labor and One Nation have differing views on the issue, with the former advocating for a reduction to combat the illicit market, while the latter argues that excise cuts would only fuel the black market further.