More than $1.7 million worth of vapes and illegal tobacco and more than $80,000 in cash has been seized in Port Augusta.
Far North police, in combination with the Traffic Services Branch and Serious and Organised Crime Branch, seized the illegal products from inside a refrigerated truck during a truck stop on Friday 25 April.
Police spoke with the truck’s occupants and searched the truck, where they located and seized in excess of $1.74 million in vapes, $26,000 in loose tobacco and $80,100 in cash.
A 32-year-old man and a 62-year-old man, both from New South Wales were arrested in the seizure.
They were charged with unlawful possession and possession of tobacco products and possession of tobacco products for sale.
Both men appeared in Port Augusta Magistrates Court on 28 April where they were remanded in custody. They are expected to next appear in court on 1 July.
The latest seizure is part of Operation Eclipse, targeting illicit tobacco and vape trades in South Australia.
Since its inception, Operation Eclipse has resulted in 35 arrests, and the seizure of over $2.2 million in cash and $17.97 million in tobacco products.
