An astonishing amount of illegal tobacco, vapes and cigarettes has been seized in Mackay since last November.
More than 3.73 million illicit cigarettes, nearly 380 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco and nearly 26,000 illegal vapes have been seized in Mackay, valued at $271 million.
The stats have been revealed as the State Government introduced new laws into parliament yesterday to crackdown on criminal networks selling the products.
The changes will allow Queensland Health to shut down illegal businesses on-the-spot for three months (up from 72 hours), while the courts will be empowered to close businesses for up to 12 months (up from a maximum of six months).
Under these reforms, landlords will also be given the power to terminate the leases of illegal operators.
There is also a new criminal offence for commercial landlords who knowingly permit illegal tobacco or activity, with a maximum penalty of a $161,300 fine and one year in jail.
Queensland Health officers will also be allowed to conduct undercover operations at illicit tobacco and vape stores.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said these new laws cemented the Government’s commitment to stamping out the criminal trade and preventing tobacco products falling into the hands of our children.
“The Crisafulli Government has taken a zero-tolerance approach to this criminal trade, by ramping up enforcement efforts and introducing the highest on-the-spot fines in Australia,” Minister Nicholls said.
“We need to stop this game of whack-a-mole where every time we hit an illegal business, it reopens within days or another springs up in its place.
“We’re pulling out all stops to help keep our kids safe, hitting illegal sellers harder and closing them for longer, with landlords also held accountable.
“This is about shutting down the criminal illegal tobacco racket which is putting our kids at risk.”
