A number of shops across Geelong and Wyndham have been searched as part of a widespread investigation into the illicit tobacco trade, with police charging eight people with serious offences for their alleged part in directing and assisting an organised crime syndicate.
Shops in Herne Hill, Grovedale and Bell Park were all searched on Tuesday, along with other outlets and homes in Truganina, Hoppers Crossing, Lara and Werribee.
Detectives from the VIPER and Lunar taskforces allege the syndicate was leasing the stores, employing supervisors, store managers and couriers, and commencing deliveries under the guise of operating the stores as legitimate gifts and confectionery stores.
The searches led to several arrests, including a 25-year-old Hoppers Crossing man was arrested at Melbourne Airport early Tuesday morning.
A 50-year-old Grovedale woman has also been arrested, with both people among those charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
During the warrants police also seized two luxury cars, at least 600,000 illicit tobacco sticks, over 75kgs of loose-leaf tobacco and a significant quantity of cash.
Detectives say searches are still underway, with police identifying a number of state, national and global organised crime syndicates involved in the illicit tobacco conflict.
