Four Chinese nationals have been refused entry to Australia after attempting to smuggle approximately $250,000 worth of illicit cigarettes in their luggage.
The travellers arrived at Melbourne Airport on Thursday 10 September from Shanghai and were selected by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers for a full baggage examination.
A total of 145,529 cigarettes were seized across the four travellers' luggage with a total duty evasion of approximately $250,000. One traveller was also in possession of around 2,320 prohibited heat sticks and vape accessories.
Following examination, three men and one woman aged 65, 67, 67, 64 respectively, were referred for visa cancellation under s116(1)(d) and Subdivision C s102 and refused immigration clearance.
They were subsequently detained under s189(1) of the Migration Act 1958.The four travellers are no longer in the country.
Last financial year, the ABF intervened to prevent more than 214,000 illicit cigarettes and over 3.4 tonnes of illicit tobacco from entering the Australian community through travellers arriving at Melbourne International Airport.
ABF Acting Superintendent Costas Karatzas said the ABF relies on its workforce of highly skilled officers adept at intercepting anyone seeking to bypass border controls.
“It was no coincidence that this large haul of illicit tobacco was quickly seized – our officers have the expertise to target and identify anyone who acts in contravention of our laws," Acting Superintendent Karatzas said.
“Importing illicit tobacco is not a harmless act – too often we see how it unfolds in the community whether in the form of violence or as a means to fund other kinds of criminal enterprise.
“We'll continue to target anyone who looks to profit from the importation of illicit tobacco no matter the import stream or the methodology."
Media contact: media@abf.gov.au
