The Ararat Crime Investigation Unit has been involved in a massive illicit tobacco bust.
The Viper Taskforce today executed 27 warrants, charging eight people with Commonwealth offences.
A 46-year-old man from Ararat was one of those arrested and charged with supporting a criminal organisation as well as illicit tobacco offences.
Police allege the syndicate earned over $30m in a 12-month period through the sale of illegal tobacco.
During the warrants, police seized a Lamborghini Coupe and Range Rover from a Hoppers Crossing address, at least 600,000 illicit tobacco sticks, over 75kgs of loose-leaf tobacco and a significant quantity of cash from the residential addresses as well as utilities and vans investigators will allege were used in the distribution of illicit tobacco.
Searches of the tobacco stores are still underway with total seizures to be confirmed.
“Those involved have the potential and the propensity to commit serious acts of violence and given their complete disregard for the safety of others, pose a serious risk to the community,” said Crime Command Assistant Commissioner Martin O’Brien.
“Their criminality cannot be tolerated”.
“The disruption of this syndicate today will have a substantial impact on the illicit tobacco trade.”
“These were significant players who we believe were directing the activity of a criminal organisation, turning a huge profit at the expense of others,” he said.
