Retailers are calling on the Queensland Government to impose tougher penalties after a record $19 million haul of illegal tobacco and vapes was seized.
Queensland Health’s Operation Appaloosa uncovered Australia’s largest-ever haul of illegal cigarettes, loose-leaf tobacco, and tens of thousands of vapes.
Theo Foukkare, CEO of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), praised the operation saying that it sends a warning to crime groups.
“This is the biggest bust of its kind in Australia and AACS members want to congratulate the Queensland State Government and the Health department on getting this dangerous crap off of our streets and away from the state’s communities, especially kids.
“QLD Health Minister Tim Nicholls and his department have inflicted a massive blow to the crime gangs who pockets hundreds of millions of dollars by selling these dodgy and dangerous products and our retailers are in full support of this.
While acknowledging the significance of the bust, Foukkare said AACS is urging the state to adopt tougher penalties similar to those already in place in South Australia.
“We are calling on the Queensland government to urgently act and mirror the South Australian Malinauskas government’s strong approach in terms of legislation and enforcement, where the fines are up to $4.2m for individuals and $6.6m for businesses – they can shut down stores for 72 hours and then up to six months.
“There are criminal penalties for landlords, landlord lease termination powers and a dedicated taskforce, with 20 officers in place to use the new powers and they’re inflicted maximum damage.
“What we’re saying now is go even harder and keep when catching these thugs and don’t let them off lightly – increase the penalties or exceed those that criminals in South Australia face – then we will really shut this major problem down.”
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