Police have seized more than $2.38 million worth of illicit tobacco and $430,000 in cash during a series of raids across metropolitan and regional South Australia.
As part of Operation Eclipse, officers from the Serious and Organised Crime Branch, Financial and Cybercrime Investigation Branch, and other units searched 27 locations between 7 March and 11 March. The searches targeted business premises, residential properties, and storage sites.
Detective Chief Inspector Tim Rasch, Officer in Charge of the Serious Crime Taskforce, said the seizures highlight the financial incentives for organised crime.
“These recent seizures clearly show that the organised crime syndicates are still active in the South Australian community.
“SA Police will continue to investigate any information that may lead to the identity of the people involved in this illegal activity and will continue to ensure that people are held accountable where sufficient evidence exists for a prosecution.”
In one incident on 7 March, detectives attended a business on Semaphore Road, Semaphore, where they arrested a 49-year-old Victorian man found with $30,000 in cash. He has been charged with unlawful possession and is due to appear in Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on 4 April.
On 11 March, police stopped a truck on the South Eastern Freeway at Monteith. A search uncovered six pallets of illicit tobacco transported from interstate, valued at approximately $1.5 million. The truck was towed to Ottoway for further investigation.
In a separate incident on 13 March, police responded to a car fire on Leonard Street, Melrose Park. After extinguishing the blaze, officers found 8,000 illicit cigarettes and 3kg of loose-leaf tobacco inside the vehicle. Further investigations led them to a business 600 metres away, suspected of selling illicit tobacco products. Detectives are reviewing CCTV footage to determine if the arson and the business are linked.
Police urge anyone with CCTV footage, dashcam recordings, or relevant information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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