Criminal syndicates produce fake Australian cigarettes in Cambodia

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 23:32 · Archive

Criminal syndicates based in Cambodia are mass-producing counterfeit Australian cigarettes with fake plain packaging and health warnings.

Criminal syndicates primarily based in Cambodia are producing counterfeit Australian cigarettes at industrial scale in Southeast Asian warehouses, according to intelligence provided to the federal government. The fake products replicate common brands and use sophisticated counterfeit packaging, some even branded with Australian health warnings.

Customs Minister Julian Hill has warned that criminal organisations are increasingly adapting their tactics to evade detection. He said: 'Serious and organised criminal syndicates have weaponised the cheap oversupply of tobacco globally and will do anything to make a buck.' The minister has urged parliament to pass tougher laws urgently, with a new bill on tobacco trade expected to be debated in the Senate on Thursday. The legislation would give law enforcement stronger powers to detect and disrupt illegal tobacco trade lines and choke off criminal profits.

Several states and territories are taking enforcement action against black market retailers. Queensland has taken a particularly strict approach, with legal cigarette sales growing as a result. NSW Police closed ten retailers across the state last week, including eight in southwest Sydney.

How it is being reported

• Black market hiding illegal cigarettes in plain sightThe illicit tobacco trade is still going strong through the use of fake Australian plain packaging, as crime groups operate factories across Southeast Asia.The West Australian · 14 Oct, 23:04
• Black market hiding illegal cigarettes in plain sightThe illicit tobacco trade is still going strong through the use of fake Australian plain packaging, as crime groups operate factories across Southeast Asia.Perth Now · 14 Oct, 23:04

In this story: Cambodia · Julian Hill · Queensland · NSW Police · Australia

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