Victoria Police seize $2.3 million worth of cigarettes and e-cigarettes in raids

The Victoria Police seized millions of cigarettes and thousands of e-cigarettes worth nearly $2.5 million in illegal products after raiding several tobacco shops.

Officers from the VIPER task force executed multiple search warrants on Monday at tobacco shops in Morwell, Moe, and Traralgon in eastern Victoria, including a residential address and a storage facility in Morwell.

During the investigation into organized crime groups related to illegal tobacco, police confiscated approximately $2.3 million worth of illegal products, including 1.5 million cigarettes, 100 kilograms of loose tobacco, over 9,000 e-cigarettes, and nearly $7,000 in cash.

Officers also seized firearms, ammunition, and a samurai sword from a store on Buckley Street in Morwell.

Five men and two women were interviewed and are expected to face charges.

Since the task force was established in October, over 70 search warrants have been executed and 20 arrests made.

Police have successfully seized over 3.5 million cigarettes, more than a ton of loose tobacco, over 100,000 e-cigarettes, and over 800 grams of cocaine.