Latest news with #illicitTobacco
BBC News
07-07-2025
- BBC News
Northampton shop gives up licence over illicit cigarettes
A shop linked to illicit tobacco found in the boot of a nearby car has voluntarily surrendered its alcohol found more than 600 packets of illegal cigarettes and pouches of hand-rolling tobacco in the possession of Viva Mini Market on Kettering Road, Northampton, in UK-controlled West Northamptonshire Council's licensing committee heard there had been several allegations that the shop was selling illegal cigarettes, tobacco and disposable Viva Mini Market wants to sell alcohol in the future, the owner will need to apply for a new licence. The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the committee originally met on 18 June to discuss what action to take on the store, but it adjourned the meeting after it heard the licence had been voluntarily surrendered at the start of to the council report, there was intelligence suggesting the store was selling the illicit goods from the boot of a blue BMW, which had been parked around the corner on Hood Street for some went to the store on 12 March and seized more than 200 illegal vapes on display behind the counter.A key to the suspect BMW was found on a member of staff and 578 packets of illegal cigarettes and 74 pouches of illegal tobacco were removed from the boot. Neither Viva Mini Market's former licence holder nor Northamptonshire Police attended the hearing as the licence had been surrendered. The licence had allowed the shop to sell alcohol between 07:00 and midnight. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
ABC News
18-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Queensland Health seeks court order to shut tobacco stores for six months
Six businesses alleged by health authorities to be involved in the sale of illicit tobacco can continue trading for the time being despite Queensland Health seeking a court order to shut them down for six months. Queensland Health on Wednesday sought the order in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court after the Wide Bay Public Health Unit and Queensland Police Service carried out raids on six Hervey Bay stores. The Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service claimed more than 480,000 illicit cigarettes, 70 kilograms of loose tobacco and 176 vaping devices were retrieved in the most recent raid on Main Street Tobacconist on Tuesday. Queensland Health said it was the first time it had pursued a six-month closure of a business since tougher state laws aimed at eliminating the illegal supply of smoking products took effect in September 2024. The businesses and their owners are not facing criminal charges. The owner of five of the businesses, Mohammed Alfalahi, and Adam Ayser, who owns one store, did not appear in court. Their lawyers requested an adjournment to allow more time to prepare their responses. Mr Alfalahi's lawyer, Dean Mayr, said his client was overseas until next month, which made it difficult for him to obtain instructions. The lawyer for Queensland Health, Peter O'Connor, opposed an adjournment, arguing a risk to public health if the businesses stayed open. Mr O'Connor told the court that the stores would quickly be able to replenish their stocks of illicit tobacco products after the raids. "This is an emergent and urgent community health issue," he said. "It is a matter that needs to be dealt with expeditiously. "These shops in all likelihood … could be opening tomorrow." Magistrate Trinity McGarvie granted an adjournment, noting Mr Alfalahi and Mr Ayser had been notified of legal action by Queensland Health about June 3. "It would be undesirable for … the state, Queensland Health, to be less than diligent … when the applications are such significant ones and such important applications … to be determined in the interest of public health," Ms McGarvie said. The case was adjourned to Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on June 26.
ABC News
18-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
The ATMs fueling the illegal tobacco trade
An ABC investigation has uncovered a connection between the illicit tobacco trade and a major Australian investment bank.
News.com.au
12-06-2025
- News.com.au
Police chase anonymous tip-off after ‘innocent' Melbourne woman killed
Police are hoping a nickname or alias given by an anonymous caller will be the key to arresting the men who firebombed the wrong Melbourne house, killing a woman inside. Katie Tangey, 27, died inside a family member's house in Truganina in the city's west in January. Police believe two men, filmed at the scene, targeted the wrong address but were motivated by Melbourne's ongoing illicit tobacco wars. On Thursday, police searched a house in the southeast suburb of Dandenong, did not make any arrests, but seized phones. 'We are absolutely determined to provide what closure and justice we can to the family of Katie Tangey,' arson squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray said. Police were 'getting closer' to solving the case, Inspector Murray said. 'I know Katie's family would want nothing more than to see her live out the whole life she had ahead of her, but the least we can do is make sure those responsible for this tragedy are held accountable for their actions. 'Investigators know Katie Tangey was completely innocent and had nothing to do with the illicit tobacco trade.' In April, police set up a booth in the Truganina street where Ms Tangey died in the hope of gathering information from the public. A digital composite of one of the arsonists' faces was then also released. 'Via anonymous reports to Crime Stoppers, police were provided information, including a particular call where a name has been given of a pseudonym or nickname,' police say in Thursday's statement. 'Investigators are still urging this particular caller to make further contact and provide additional information.' Ms Tangey was house sitting her brother's home on Dover St on January 16 when two men attacked the property in the early hours with a jerry can. The men were filmed leaving the scene in a dark-coloured BMW X3 or X5. Ms Tangey called triple-0 from inside the three-storey home. She could not escape and died at the scene. A golden retriever named Sunny also died. In the hours after the incident, Inspector Murray was adamant Ms Tangey was the victim of a bungled attack, where the men targeted the wrong home. Appealing for information in April, Inspector Murray called the arsonists 'low lives'. 'There are people out there who are talking and who are providing information,' he said at the time.
ABC News
11-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Illegal 'chop shop raided in Mackay and millions of cigarettes, loose tobacco and vapes seized
Police and Mackay Public Health Unit officers have seized one of the largest hauls of illicit tobacco and nicotine products in a single raid in Queensland history. Supplied: Mackay Public Health Unit.
