Illegal Goulburn Valley tobacco crop valued at more than $19 million

By Monique Preston

Mar 31, 2023

Big haul: An allegedly illegal tobacco crop was seized from a Bunbartha property on March 30.

An allegedly illegal tobacco crop, with a potential value of more than $19 million, has been discovered at a Bunbartha property.

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The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) seized and destroyed more than 11 tonnes of illicit tobacco during a raid on the property on Thursday, March 30.

The ATO and police uncovered four separate plots of illicit tobacco on the property, totalling 4.046 hectares in size.

The ATO said the destroyed crops had a potential excise value of more than $19 million.

Growing: An allegedly illegal tobacco crop that has been seized by the Australian Taxation Office from Bunbartha.

It has been illegal to grow tobacco in Australia for more than a decade.

The ATO works with the community and its partner agencies, using a range of investigative and legislative approaches to disrupt illicit tobacco activity.

This includes taking action on community tip-offs such as in this instance.

“People in the community are one of the best sources of intelligence that we have,” Assistant Commissioner Jade Hawkins said.

Spread out: The allegedly illicit tobacco crop was growing in four different plots, the ATO alleges.

Some of the key signs of illicit tobacco growing include:

Intense labour production typically between November and May;
Unusual inquiries about land for lease;
Unexplained and potentially unlawful use of water resources;
Large, leafy plants that resemble kale, cabbage or corn and may have a pink flower growing on top.

If you suspect that someone is growing illicit tobacco in your community, you can report it anonymously to the ATO by completing the tip-off form or phoning 1800 060 062.