Australian Border Force Group Coordinates Illicit Tobacco Raids in Western Australia

On Thursday, 8 October 2026, the Australian Border Force (ABF)-led Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group (NDG) coordinated enforcement operations across five tobacco retail premises in Western Australia as part of a nationwide Task Force Morpheus day of action targeting organised crime.

The disruption activity in Western Australia was led by WA Health and WA Police, focusing on retail businesses linked to organised crime interests operating within the illicit tobacco market. Task Force Morpheus operates as a joint, cross-jurisdictional law enforcement initiative aimed at countering organised criminal activity linked to outlaw motorcycle gangs across the country.

Authorities seized more than 1,755 cigarettes, 175 grams of loose-leaf tobacco, and 42 illicit vapes during the operation. Additionally, one application for a short-term closure order is currently under assessment.

According to the ABF, the operation yielded operational intelligence, including the identification of multiple persons of interest and information regarding supply and fulfilment methods utilized in the illicit tobacco trade.

Acting Commander Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Daniel Strack stated that intelligence gathered from such operations offers insights into networks, associates, and supply chains that support organised crime. Strack added that organised crime groups use the illicit tobacco market to generate revenue for broader criminal operations, noting that joint actions among Commonwealth, state law enforcement, and regulatory bodies aim to disrupt these networks.

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