Criminal syndicates using international travellers to smuggle illicit cigarettes into Australia, Border Force says

More than 800,000 undeclared cigarettes with a duty value of over $1 million have been intercepted at airports around Australia in the last three months as criminal syndicates attempt to use international travellers to smuggle illicit tobacco into the country.

Australian Border Force (ABF) officials say Japanese nationals have been intercepted across the country several times over the last three months allegedly attempting to smuggle cigarettes into international airports.

On September 7, four Japanese nationals were intercepted allegedly attempting to smuggle 141,015 cigarettes in their luggage through Brisbane International Airport.

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On August 24, two Japanese nationals attempted to smuggle more than 70,600 cigarettes through Melbourne International Airport.

On July 30, a Japanese national allegedly attempted to smuggle more than 34,000 cigarettes in his luggage through Perth International Airport.

And on July 5 and 6, nine Japanese nationals attempted to smuggle upwards of 330,000 cigarettes through Sydney International Airport.

In all of the cases, the travellers had their visas cancelled and were forced to leave Australia at their own expense.

ABF Commander Ken McKern said officials had noticed a recent increase in passengers departing from Japan, Taiwan Hong Kong and Singapore with undeclared cigarettes in their luggage.

McKern said the illicit tobacco trade was not the "victimless crime" many perceived it to be.

"Organised criminal groups generate significant profits from the sale of illicit tobacco, which fund other criminal activities such as illicit drug trafficking."

Australia's interim Illicit Tobacco and E-cigarette (ITEC) Commissioner, Erin Dale, said the ABF works with customs administrations across the world to prevent the flow of illicit tobacco to Australia.

She said enforcement at the border was part of a wider response including including education, health and domestic enforcement and compliance.

"Border enforcement alone cannot stem the flow of illicit goods into Australia," Commissioner Dale said.

"The trade is both domestic and international in scope and we're working to ensure collaborative efforts between local, state, federal, and international law enforcement partners to combat the issue."