Man charged for $24m tobacco smuggling

A man allegedly trying to import more than 20 million cigarettes to Australia over the last year was arrested and charged at Melbourne airport on Saturday.

The man was charged with five tobacco smuggling offences after being arrested by Australian Border Force, following additional screening after his landing.

The maximum penalty for tobacco smuggling is 10 years' imprisonment and/or a fine of up to five times the amount of duty evaded.

The man allegedly tried to import almost 16 tonnes of loose-leaf tobacco and more than 20 million cigarettes over the last 24 months, with an estimated evaded duty of more than $24 million.

The man faced the Melbourne Magistrates court on Monday and was bailed to reappear in late April 2020.

The Illicit Tobacco Taskforce said the man is a key person of interest of an ongoing investigation into an alleged illicit tobacco syndicate.