Chinese man charged over illegal tobacco

A Chinese student has been accused of importing illegal tobacco into Australia as part of an elaborate organised crime syndicate.

The 24-year-old was arrested last week after a baggage search at Adelaide airport while he was trying to re-enter the country, the Australian Border Force (ABF) says.

Subsequent raids on two homes and a storage unit in Adelaide allegedly found evidence of large-scale illegal tobacco importation using names and addresses in South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.

More than 150 items, $50,000 in cash and a car were also seized.

The man appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday and will appear next on March 29 charged with importing tobacco products with the intention of defrauding revenue.

The ABF says more charges are possible.