Vision and images of SA activities are available for download.

The first official operation of the Australian Border Force (ABF)-led Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group (NDG) across Queensland and South Australia has resulted in:

• arrest of a United Kingdom national charged with possession of illicit tobacco
• seizure of approximately 3 million illicit cigarettes, over 327kg loose-leaf tobacco and over 22,040 vaping devices.
• seizure of over AUD $2.127million cash
• seizure of illicit property including several vehicles totalling over AUD $700,000 street value
• issue temporary closures of 25 non-compliant retail outlets
• identification of 70 persons of interest
• total of approximately AUD $5 million estimated duty evaded.

NDG Operation TEMPEST26 was a three-phased joint agency operation to detect, deter and disrupt illicit tobacco networks that threaten Australia’s borders and the community.

Phase one saw partner agencies collaborate and share critical information and intelligence with the NDG, identifying potential threats, persons of interest and criminal activity within the illicit tobacco networks in Queensland and South Australia.

Information and intelligence supplied in phase one was assessed and triaged through the NDG, identifying a range of opportunities for disruption in the supply chain of illicit tobacco including import, storage, distribution and retail by mid-level criminals and enablers.

This information fed into phase two - the coordinated high visibility week of action, which took place between Monday 23 and Saturday 28 February 2026.

Over 75 locations were targeted, including shopfronts, warehouses and residential properties, with results from the nationally coordinated week of action highlighting the successful approach of NDG coordinating information and intelligence sharing, enforcement, and disruption activities.

Agencies involved included the ABF, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), Services Australia, Queensland Police Service (QPS), Queensland Health (Qld Health), Queensland State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER), AUSTRAC, South Australia’s Consumer and Business Services, and South Australian Police (SAPOL).

Across 15 retail outlets and residential properties located in South Australia, officers from ABF and Consumer and Business Services SA:

• seized over 368,600 illicit cigarettes, 61.6 kg loose leaf tobacco, 1,168 vaping devices and approximately AUD $ 5,600 cash
• identified 19 persons of interest with known links to the illicit tobacco trade
• shut down 15 outlets selling illicit tobacco and vapes for 28 days.

While searching a shopfront property in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, officers located an underground room. A search of the hidden room located several boxes of illicit tobacco as well as further information to assist with ongoing enquiries.

During the week of action, a UK national was also arrested by ABF officers for selling illicit tobacco and was charged with offending pursuant to Customs Act 1901 section 233BABAD possessing imported tobacco with an intention to defraud revenue. Further charges are being considered, the female will appear in the Elizabeth magistrates court on 8 April 2026.

Phase three will see the NDG assess information gathered during the week of action to identify further disruption opportunities with partner agencies to break the business model of illicit tobacco in Australia and create an increasingly hostile environment for criminal networks and enablers. Examples of these activities may include:

• business closures
• exploring revocation of transport and professional licenses
• financial and benefits assessments by Federal and State Authorities
• visa reviews by the Department of Home Affairs
• immediate information sharing with law enforcement and regulatory agencies

The NDG currently has 26 external partnerships across Federal, State and Territory agencies, and industry sectors committed to supporting coordinated action led by the NDG.

Investigations and further enforcement action remain ongoing.

Commander Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Greg Dowse said this historic result is the perfect example of how a coordinated national response combining intelligence and regulatory powers can disrupt illicit tobacco operations at every stage of the supply chain.

“Through the Illicit Tobacco NDG, agencies are working side by side in ways not previously utilised, leveraging each organisation’s powers and capabilities to achieve impactful outcomes that simply weren’t possible working in isolation,” Commander Dowse said.

“Through enhanced intelligence sharing and regulatory action, we are making it significantly harder for criminals to profit from the illicit tobacco market, and we are breaking down the foundations of this trade.”

Acting Head of the TGA and Deputy Secretary, Nick Henderson, said the TGA continues to work closely with federal, state and territory partners to disrupt the illicit trade of vaping goods. We are strengthening our shared commitment through the National Disruption Group.

SA Commissioner for Consumer and Business Services Brett Humphrey said the action was a significant step forward in the ongoing fight against the illicit tobacco and vape trade in South Australia.

“Every cigarette and vape seized, every storefront closed disrupts the supply of these illegal products to South Australians.

“Our collaboration with other enforcement agencies within the Illicit Tobacco NDG helps strengthen and target our efforts to ensure we are delivering the best possible results for the community.”

Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said Australia needed a whole-of-community commitment to change the perception and acceptance of illicit tobacco.

“The illicit tobacco trade is directly linked to acts of violence in our community, and these crimes are executed by organised crime groups in their pursuit of power and profit,” Det Supt Telfer said.

“These illegal activities are a threat to Australia’s national security and economy, and the AFP is proud to stand with our partner agencies in tackling this threat.”

Assistant Commissioner Pennie Snowden said this is a landmark result for the National Disruption Group and would not be possible without the collaboration of our partner agencies.

“With our resources and capability, this group is taking significant steps forward in putting a stop to illicit tobacco operations and the organised crime syndicates that are behind them.”

“The ATO is committed to tackling illicit tobacco to ensure funds are put back into essential community services rather than into the hands of criminals.”

Acting National Manager Sarah Noble highlighted the importance of disrupting serious and organised crime exploitation of the illicit tobacco market in Australia, which cost taxpayers $4 billion in 2023-24.

“The ACIC continues to provide unique, actionable and insightful intelligence to inform our partner agencies and assist operations such as those coordinated through the Illicit Tobacco NDG, as we have seen in this successful week of action to disrupt and dismantle the illicit tobacco trade.”

National Manager Law Enforcement Anthony Helmond said the supply and sale of illicit tobacco in Australia generates billions of dollars in criminal proceeds which are then laundered through Australia’s financial system, undermining economic integrity and community safety. These results show how financial intelligence impacts outcomes on the ground.