Two Perth brothers have faced court after Australian authorities uncovered what's being described as one of Western Australia's largest illicit tobacco operations, with millions of dollars worth of illegal cigarettes and vaping devices seized in a major bust.
Hossein and Mousa Al Mansouri appeared briefly in Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday following a sophisticated investigation spanning several months. The Australian Border Force-led operation resulted in the discovery of a massive haul of untaxed tobacco products and prohibited vapes.
The scale of the operation is staggering, with authorities revealing the illicit goods would have deprived the Australian taxpayer of approximately $4.5 million in lost revenue. The seizure included hundreds of thousands of cigarettes and numerous vaping devices that were being distributed through an underground network.
Australian Border Force Commander for Western Australia, Clive Murray, described the bust as a significant blow to organised crime in the state. "This operation demonstrates our ongoing commitment to targeting criminal syndicates that seek to profit from the illegal tobacco and vaping market," Commander Murray stated.
The investigation involved multiple agencies working together, including the ABF, Australian Taxation Office, and Western Australia Police. Authorities monitored the brothers' activities for months before executing search warrants at several properties across Perth.
The charges against the Al Mansouri brothers include:
- Possessing tobacco products with intent to defraud the revenue
- Dealing with proceeds of crime
- Importing prohibited imports
- Possessing prohibited imports
Illicit tobacco remains a significant problem across Australia, with criminal organisations exploiting the substantial tax difference between legal and illegal products. The black market tobacco trade not only costs taxpayers billions in lost revenue but also funds other criminal activities.
Both men have been remanded in custody and are scheduled to reappear in court next month. If convicted, they face substantial prison sentences under Australia's tough tobacco smuggling laws.
