National News
China and Australia bust tobacco syndicate as government pushes back on excise calls
Australian and Chinese authorities have worked together to crack an international syndicate shipping illegal tobacco into Australia.
More than 60 people have been arrested in China over their involvement with the syndicate, which the Australian Border Force (ABF) found had shipped more than 90 containers carrying tobacco to Australia between January and May this year.
The ABF revealed more than 60 million cigarettes were seized, along with 60 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, worth over $92 million. The tobacco’s value is measured on taxes evaded. Chinese authorities traced the tobacco as likely manufactured and moved through South-East Asia, where it would be hidden among legitimate cargo bound for Australia.
That has led to a political push from figures like NSW Premier Chris Minns and One Nation to cut the tobacco excise, currently about $30 for a 20-cigarette packet. But the federal government has maintained that cutting the tobacco excise is unlikely to stop the criminal trade and has instead stepped up enforcement efforts.