Home / Crime and Justice / NSW Raids Shut Down 52 Illicit Tobacco Stores
NSW Raids Shut Down 52 Illicit Tobacco Stores
18 Jan
Summary
- Over 50 tobacco stores closed in NSW illicit product raids.
- Millions of illicit cigarettes and vapes seized in eight weeks.
- New laws allow 90-day closure orders for suspected illicit sales.
In a significant operation, New South Wales has closed down more than 50 tobacco stores that were allegedly selling illicit products. This intensified enforcement action has resulted in the seizure of over 1.6 million illegal cigarettes and 10,500 vaping goods within an eight-week period since new laws were enacted.
The state government granted extraordinary powers to NSW Health, enabling the issuance of 90-day closure orders for businesses suspected of operating without proper licenses or selling contraband. These measures have been applied across the state, targeting outlets engaged in the illicit tobacco trade.
This recent surge in closures includes a shop located near Premier Chris Minns's electorate office in Kogarah, highlighting the broad reach of the enforcement. Local councils are also advocating for changes to planning laws to preemptively address the proliferation of such establishments.
