Four Travellers Refused Entry at Melbourne Airport Over Alleged Cigarette Smuggling

Four Chinese nationals were refused entry to Australia on Thursday, September 10, after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers allegedly found approximately $250,000 worth of illicit cigarettes in their luggage at Melbourne Airport. The travellers, who had arrived on a flight from Shanghai, were selected for a full baggage examination upon arrival.

During the search, officers seized a total of 145,529 cigarettes across the luggage of the four individuals, representing an estimated duty evasion of roughly $250,000. Additionally, one traveller was found with approximately 2,320 prohibited heat sticks and vape accessories.

Following the inspection, the three men and one woman—aged 64, 65, 67, and 67—had their visas referred for cancellation under section 116(1)(d) and Subdivision C section 102, and were denied immigration clearance. They were detained under section 189(1) of the Migration Act 1958 and have since been removed from Australia.

According to the ABF, officers at Melbourne International Airport intercepted more than 214,000 illicit cigarettes and over 3.4 tonnes of illicit tobacco from arriving travellers during the last financial year.

ABF Acting Superintendent Costas Karatzas stated that the seizure was the result of targeted detection by border personnel, adding that illicit tobacco importation can fund broader criminal enterprises and that authorities will continue to target those attempting to bypass border regulations.

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