Two Victorian truck drivers have been arrested the Murraylands for allegedly transporting illicit tobacco products across the border.
On Thursday 31 October a truck was stopped on the Princess Highway at Tailem Bend with police seizing 486 kilograms of loose tobacco and 472,800 cigarettes. The value of the products is estimated to be more than $600,000.
A 34-year-old man from Victoria was arrested and charged with money laundering and unlawful possession.
In a previous incident on Wednesday October 23, a Murray Bridge patrol stopped a rental truck travelling on the Princes Highway at Monteith. The truck was being driven by a 37-year-old man from Victoria and a 34-year-old-man from NSW was a passenger.
Officers located a significant quantity of illicit tobacco products worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in the truck. The truck has been seized for further examination and Investigations are continuing.
Operation Eclipse tactical commander Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby said the seizures, along with one in Port Augusta, will impact the operations of the illicit tobacco trade in SA.
“These seizures should serve as a warning to the syndicates that we will take every opportunity to disrupt their activities, we will take every opportunity to lawfully stop and search vehicles we believe are transporting illicit tobacco in South Australia,’’ he said.
“The key transit routes into South Australia are a key focus of regional police patrols who are working closely with Operation Eclipse detectives.’’
Anyone with any information on either the transportation or sale of illicit tobacco in South Australia is urged to contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.
