'Innocent parcels' caught up illicit tobacco bust
Recent crackdowns on crime networks leave some Chinese-Australian customers caught in the fallout, with their legitimate parcels stuck in affected depots.
Amy Zhang's custom-made kitchen cabinets from China have been held in quarantine in Sydney since their arrival. The 53-year-old director of Top Logistics Australia (TLA), Peter Ping Xie, is accused of multiple offenses including dealing with proceeds of crime and possessing an unauthorised pistol. TLA is a one-stop logistics solution provider with depots in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, covering a combined space of over 15,000 square metres.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) has suspended depot licences in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, targeting a national freight forwarding company suspected of involvement in illicit tobacco and vaping importations. Many individuals with similar experiences have shared their concerns on social media, including Sydney mother Mory Zhao, whose cubby house from China is delayed, and a Sydney resident waiting for ski clothing and children's costumes.
Experts warn that one-stop logistics companies like TLA could make supply chains more efficient but also create opportunities for organised crime if compromised.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
