By PEACE IJIYERA
YELLOW short-term closure notices were plastered over suspected illicit tobacco stores across Latrobe Valley early last week, as authorities crack down on the illicit tobacco trade.
This follows new laws introduced on September 9, giving Tobacco Licensing Victoria and Victoria Police the power to intervene in illicit tobacco trade.
Victoria Police’s Viper Taskforce and Tobacco Licensing Victoria raided four stores across the Latrobe Valley.
The short-term closures are for a period of 90 days and prohibit entry and trading from taking place.
As reported by ABC Gippsland, Tobacco Licensing Victoria Chief Operating Officer, Bree Oliver said the Latrobe Valley was targeted due to alerts of high illicit tobacco supply in the area.
“We verify that intelligence and obviously use that intelligence to identify where are our priorities, where are the targets, where does it make the most sense,” she said.
“Where will we have the biggest impact, and clearly the Latrobe Valley is a site where the supply of illicit tobacco is considerable.”
With the 90-day short-term closure period set to be complete by early January 2027, Ms Oliver said the stores will be under close surveillance, and action would be taken if they were to reopen.
The Express visited many of the raided stores.
Though there was no yellow notice observed at Smartt Mart Moe, the roller shutters were down and bollards in front. Much the same for Moore Street Convenience Store. Boolarra Avenue Convenience Store, Newborough was shut and appeared boarded up. No suspicious activity was observed near the premises of the stores.
Latrobe City Mayor, Sharon Gibson, said the enforcement activity was a welcome step towards making the community safer and backing local businesses.
“It’s great to see Tobacco Licensing Victoria and the Viper Taskforce taking action on those businesses selling illegal tobacco and vaping products in our community,” Cr Gibson said.
“We know some may not be happy about these closures, but it’s important that businesses operate within the law.”
The mayor said community safety was a high priority for council, and was committed to working with key stakeholders and the wider community to reduce harm and advocate for initiatives that addressed antisocial behaviour and improve public safety outcomes.
“We’ll keep speaking up for the support and resources our community needs because we want our town centres to be vibrant and welcoming places where people are happy to live, work, shop and spend time together,” Cr Gibson said.
“As a council, we welcome any action by state agencies that helps make our community safer and healthier.”
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the closure of 15 suspected illicit tobacco stores in Gippsland highlighted the scale of Australia’s illegal tobacco trade and the need to attack the profits flowing to organised crime.
Mr Chester said the closures came as the federal government voted against a Coalition amendment in parliament that sought to cut tobacco excise by 80 per cent as part of a broader strategy to undermine the black market.
“Smoking cigarettes and vapes is bad for the individual, but outsourcing the tobacco industry to organised crime is bad for society,” Mr Chester said.
“We should continue supporting sensible public health measures to reduce smoking rates, but we also need to recognise that the current settings have created an extraordinarily lucrative black market.
“This week we have seen suspected illicit tobacco stores closed right here in Gippsland. That demonstrates this isn’t some distant problem confined to Melbourne; the illegal trade is operating in our own communities.”
