Illicit tobacco imports ripping off Aussie taxpayers of at least $640 million
TAXPAYERS have been ripped off by at least $640 million because of illicit tobacco shipped by criminal gangs and dodgy importers in the last five years alone.
That figure is the amount of tax that should have been paid on illegally imported tobacco — almost entirely shipped as sea cargo — seized and destroyed by border authorities.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has vowed to crack down on the trade and put a stop to organised criminal syndicates eyeing Australia’s lucrative market.
“Illicit tobacco smugglers are ripping off taxpayers and putting cheap cigarettes into the hands of young kids and we are doing all we can to stamp them out,” Mr. Dutton said.
Related Posts
23-year-old Kalbadevi jeweller bought 180 kg smuggled gold in a year, arrested by DRI
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested a 23-year-oldKalbadevi...
Hungary’s tax office recruits drones to crack down on cigarette smugglers
Hungaryʼs National Tax and Customs Authority (NAV) acquired drones through HUF 20...
BSF Seizes Cosmetics, Medicines, Household Articles, And Clothes Worth More Than Rupees 51.50 Lakhs From The Bandhan Express Train During A Search Operation
On March 19, 2023, at 0930 hours, troops of ICP Petrapole, 145 Battalion under...
Assam: Golaghat Police seizes 12,000 packets of foreign-origin cigarettes worth Rs 50 lakh
In their efforts against smuggling activities, Golaghat Police seized a large...