Australia’s border authorities have recorded a major spike in the interception of illegal tobacco and vapes, with new quarterly data revealing unprecedented seizure volumes at international entry points.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) seized 586 million cigarettes and more than 3 million vapes between 1 July and 30 September — the first quarter of the current financial year — marking a sharp rise compared with the same period over the past two years.
ABF Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Commander Greg Dowse said the surge in detections shows criminal networks are increasingly emboldened — but not beyond the reach of border intelligence.
“Many of our larger seizures can be attributed to our successful offshore relationships with international partners,”
Officials say enhanced intelligence and stronger cooperation with international partners are helping them pinpoint high-risk consignments more effectively, regardless of where or how they enter the country.
Across the states, several significant hauls were recorded:
- Queensland: Nearly two tonnes of undeclared tobacco hidden inside a container falsely labelled as furniture arrived from China in July. Later that month, a traveller landing in Brisbane from Lebanon was found with more than 30kg of loose tobacco and 2,500 cigarettes stashed in clothing and socks.
- Western Australia & NSW: In August, ABF officers in Fremantle uncovered over 4 million cigarettes concealed behind a brick wall inside a shipping container — sparking a wider cross-border investigation that has already led to the seizure of an estimated $24 million in crime proceeds in New South Wales.
- Victoria: Also in August, a man previously warned over smuggling attempts was stopped at Melbourne Airport, leading to the discovery of more than 68,000 cigarettes among him and his associates. Meanwhile, authorities seized 6.5 tonnes of illicit tobacco in a sea cargo shipment from China falsely declared as furniture.
- New South Wales: A near-record haul in mid-September at Port Botany netted over 95,000 vapes misdescribed as “perforated strips”. The matter remains under investigation.
Commander Dowse added, “By regularly sharing intelligence we can target and identify consignments of illicit tobacco and vapes before they have even reached our shores.”
“Our evolving intelligence and enhanced information sharing is outsmarting any evasion attempt.”
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