A routine traffic stop has led to two men facing serious charges and five others detained over alleged immigration offences.
NSW Police Highway Patrol officers in Dubbo pulled over a white Toyota Hiace on the Newell Hwy in Brocklehurst on Wednesday, after noticing one of the passengers was not wearing a seatbelt.
Police said they then searched the van and allegedly found 8kg of illegal tobacco, with a picture (seen above) showing plastic bags allegedly full of the illicit substance piled on top of the patrol car.
Background checks on the occupants of the van were then carried out, revealing that seven of them were allegedly in Australia unlawfully — one of them for 25 years.
“Two men were charged in relation to the tobacco and will appear at Dubbo Local Court on May 9,” police said.
“They will face further action from the Australian Border Force.”
“Five others were detained under the Immigration Act and will face further action from the Australian Border Force in coming days for being unlawfully in Australia.”
As early as January this year, the Australian government announced a major crackdown on the importation of illegal tobacco.
“This new model strengthens our existing efforts by working in partnership with the states and territories and building on the Albanese Government’s tobacco excise package,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers said in the January statement.
“This is all about deterring illegal tobacco use and distribution in Australia, and sending a clear message to the crooks and syndicates that dealing in illegal tobacco is a serious tax crime.”