ABC News (Australia)Jul 13, 2026, 6:48 PM

Exposing illicit tobacco's online marketplace

Illicit tobacco sales have moved online in Australia, with websites delivering cheap cigarettes and vapes via Australia Post at roughly one-third the legal price. An estimated 80 percent of tobacco consumed in Australia now comes from illicit sources, fueling organized crime profits so large that a single smuggled container generates $7.5 million in street value from a $250,000 import cost.

$150$20Illicit tobacco carton cost $150, about one-third the price of equivalent legal product1020065002.1680%40%$250,000$7.5MOne profitable container generates $7.5M street value from $250K import cost, covering three times the cost even if 9 out of 10 containers are seized1%
Read original at ABC News (Australia)

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