Customs agency links tobacco seizure reduction to increase in penalties

The amount of tobacco seized by Australia’s Customs and Border Protection agency last year was down by 32 per cent on that seized during 2011, according to a story by Ewa Kretowicz for Myall Coast Nota.

The agency said that it had seized more than 125 million cigarettes and more than 134 tonnes of tobacco being brought illegally into Australia last year.

It put the fall in seizures down to increases in the penalties – fines and jail terms – imposed on smugglers and the number of arrests made during 2011 and 2012.

According to Kretowicz, the fall might also be down to the continuing reduction in the number of people taking up the habit.

There was no suggestion that smugglers were getting smarter.

While China traditionally has been the major source of cigarettes entering Australia illegally, large shipments have begun to arrive from the United   Arab Emirates.