THE financing of organised crime took a considerable blow when police and border security officers swooped on a Merrigum property on Thursday, 7 March.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO), with support from Victoria Police’s VIPER Taskforce and the Australian Border Force (ABF), has seized and destroyed over 16 tonnes of illicit tobacco, with an estimated excise value of nearly $35 million.

Two search warrants were executed at the property, with the search revealing two illicit tobacco crops in excess of 5 hectares, the equivalent of 12 football fields.

Victoria Police Detective Acting Superintendent Craig Darlow said police had 'made it clear' that people involved with the distribution and sale of illicit tobacco would be targeted across the state.

"That involves regional Victoria," A/Supt Darlow said.

"These seizures – and their potential value of almost $35 million in avoided excise – are significant, and their impact will undoubtedly be felt by the organised crime groups operating in this state.

"They will also provide further avenues of enquiry."

A/Supt Darlow said Victoria Police were targeting crime syndicate leaders and those organised in the offending to make involvement in illicit tobacco as 'unattractive as possible’.

"Disrupting these syndicates and putting a stop to their criminality remains a priority for Victoria Police and it is critical that we continue to work with our law enforcement partners including the ATO and ABF on this."

ATO Assistant Commissioner Jade Hawkins commended the actions of those who initially alerted the ATO to the property.

"Community tip-offs are one of our best sources of information as they provide us and our partner agencies with crucial information to assist in the fight against illicit tobacco," Ms Hawkins said.

"The significant outcomes of these raids are another positive step forward in the ongoing work to detect, disrupt, and dismantle organised crime syndicates who use profits from illicit tobacco to fund other, more serious illegal activities."

ABF Acting Commander Tori Rosemond said it was estimated organised crime groups controlled 75 per cent of the illicit tobacco market in Australia, which generates significant profits.

"We are detecting and seizing massive quantities of illicit tobacco on a daily basis at the border, but this alone cannot stem the supply, which is why we work side-by-side (with) our partners to stamp out these home-grown illicit operations," A/Cmdr Rosemond said.

"This joint effort demonstrates the commitment the ATO, Victoria Police, and ABF share in combatting illicit tobacco production and protecting the community from the associated harms."

The search was a direct result of a tip-off from a community member to Victoria Police, who then passed it on to the ATO.

Any suspected illicit tobacco growing, manufacture, or sales can be confidentially report to the ATO online on 1800 060 062 or at ato.gov.au/tipoff