Australia closes at least 1436 shops selling illicit tobacco
Authorities have ordered 1436 shop closures for selling illegal tobacco. This happened across five states since November 2025.
Australian authorities closed or ordered closed at least 1436 shops selling illegal tobacco in the past year. NSW leads with 523 orders, followed by South Australia's 281.
The crackdown has hit tobacconists, convenience stores, supermarkets, gift shops, even barbers and barbershops. The illegal trade is worth billions and feeds organised crime and money laundering.
Federal police warn that gangs trafficking cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin also run illegal tobacco operations. Border Force seized illegal products in one year.
The haul included 2.2 billion cigarettes, 590 tonnes of loose-leaf tobacco, 13 million vape devices and 7.2 million nicotine pouches.
- 1436 across five states
- Total closures ordered
- 523 issued, 123 still active
- NSW closure orders
- 2.2 billion
- Cigarettes seized
- 348
- Active closures this week
Why it mattersThe scale shows how deeply criminal networks have worked into everyday retail. Many seemingly normal shops are selling illegal products.
AustraliaWidespread enforcement across NSW, SA, Victoria, WA and Queensland; affects retail prices and consumer access, and targets the criminal syndicates operating nationwide.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
