More than $600k worth of tobacco products seized at Tailem Bend
Plus the lasted traffic offences and speed camera locations around the Murraylands.
Police have made two significant seizures in recent weeks at Monteith and Tailem Bend that have severely disrupted illicit tobacco networks infiltrating the state.
The most recent seizure was made last Thursday, when a truck was stopped on the Princes Highway at Tailem Bend.
Police allegedly found the truck contained 486 kilograms of loose tobacco and 472,800 cigarettes, valued at an estimated $600,000.
The truck was seized and the driver, a 34-year-old man from Victoria, was arrested and charged with alleged money laundering and unlawful possession.
He was refused police bail and appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday.
In addition to this, a Murray Bridge patrol stopped a rental truck travelling on the Princes Highway at Monteith on October 23.
The truck was being driven by a 37-year-old man from Victoria and had a 34-year-old from New South Wales in the passenger seat.
Officers allegedly located a significant quantity of illicit tobacco products worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The truck was seized for further examination and investigations are continuing.
The seizures have been made by police across the state who are on the lookout for vehicles being used to ship illicit tobacco using major transport routes.
This comes as part of Operation Eclipse, a mission to target trucks used to ship illicit tobacco on major transport routes between warehouses and shops.
Operation Eclipse tactical commander Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby said the seizures would impact the operations of the illicit tobacco trade in SA.
“These seizures should serve as a warning to the syndicates that we will take every opportunity to disrupt their activities," he said.
“The key transit routes into South Australia are a key focus of regional police patrols who are working closely with Operation Eclipse detectives.’
"We will take every opportunity to lawfully stop and search vehicles we believe are transporting illicit tobacco in South Australia."
Since July 1, more than $5 million in illicit tobacco and vapes have now been seized by authorities.
Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs Andrea Michaels MP said they won't tolerate the threat posed to our community by the criminals.
"These raids are the largest operations in regional South Australia to date and we will continue to raid tobacco shops right around the state to get these illicit products off our streets and out of our communities.
"No matter where you are operating in South Australia, if you are selling illicit tobacco and vapes, you will be caught and prosecuted.
"The level of product seized shows we are making inroads on this and we will continue to work in partnership with state and federal agencies... to crack down on the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes throughout South Australia," he said.
Anyone with any information on either the transportation or sale of illicit tobacco in South Australia is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestopperssa.com.au, anonymously if needed.
Traffic offences in the Murraylands
A 24-year-old Murray Bridge man was stopped on Old Swanport Road on Friday November 1.
Police checks revealed his car was allegedly unregistered and he was disqualified from driving.
His vehicle was impounded for 28 days and he will face court at a later date.
On Saturday 2 November, police stopped a 46-year-old Coonalpyn man on Gollan Street, Tailem Bend for a mobile driver test.
The man failed to comply with the direction and was issued with a 12-month instant loss of licence.
His vehicle was impounded for 28 days and he will face court at a later date.
Murray Bridge Police observed a vehicle driving erratically on Agricultural Drive, in Murray Bridge on Monday 4 November.
The driver, a 21-year-old Murray Bridge man, allegedly did a sustained wheel spin and police immediately reported him.
His vehicle was impounded for 28 days and he will face court at a later date.
Speed camera locations
Watch out this week on:
- Adelaide Road, Murray Bridge
- Dukes Highway, Tailem Bend
- Hindmarsh Road, Murray Bridge
- Mannum Road, Murray Bridge
- Mannum Road, Mannum
- Maurice Road, Murray Bridge
- Princes Highway, Murray Bridge
- Railway Terrace, Tailem Bend
- South Eastern Freeway, Murray Bridge
- Swanport Road, Murray Bridge
