Police seize 13 tonnes of imported disposable vapes

ABC NEWS (Australia)

More than 13 tonnes of disposable vapes have been seized in the first large-scale bust in Australia since import bans began. The Federal Government plans to introduce even stricter laws - as it extends its clampdown on vaping.

Transcript

00:00 Countless flavours and colours. 150,000 vapes intercepted by Federal Police destined for

00:08 Australian streets.

00:10 These vapes have an estimated street value of $4.5 million.

00:14 Border Force officers became suspicious when 14 air cargo consignments arrived in Adelaide

00:20 originally from China.

00:22 The seizure comes as strict new laws prohibit the importation of disposable vapes, with

00:26 only two vapes allowed per traveller into the country.

00:30 Investigations are still continuing but we don't think South Australia was the sole

00:33 intended location for these vapes.

00:36 A quarter of a million vapes have been intercepted by police nationwide this year.

00:41 The government says there's a dark underworld behind illegal vapes.

00:45 Funding the criminal activities of organised crime gangs, drug trafficking, sex trafficking

00:49 and the like.

00:50 So I just appeal to businesses and other commercial entities that have become involved in this

00:55 market, find another way to make money.

00:57 Experts say that the black market of vape distribution has always existed.

01:01 But recent law changes have helped officials curb the industry.

01:06 A loophole in the law has been changed and now the law can be enforced.

01:10 So we're seeing these seizures and we'll see more of these seizures but it's a good sign.

01:15 Border Force officers say no arrests have been made but investigations into who imported

01:20 these vapes from China are ongoing.

01:23 Further nationwide reforms at the start of March will include a ban on importing refillable

01:28 non-therapeutic vapes as well as the personal importation of therapeutic vapes.

01:33 And the federal government will introduce legislation to parliament to stop the sale

01:37 and supply of non-prescription vapes.

01:40 We have one of the lowest rates of cigarette smoking in the world but we're going to see

01:45 all of that progress lost if we let this emerging market targeted at essentially defeating those

01:51 efforts recruiting a new generation to nicotine addiction.

01:55 The seizure is a small win against a public health crisis.

01:59 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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