STATEWIDE: 61 illicit cigs stores closed
VIPER Taskforce and Tobacco Licensing Victoria have closed 61 stores linked to organised crime caught selling illicit tobacco.
TLV and Victoria Police issue 90-day closure notices to any store found to be selling illicit tobacco.
Over four weeks, the two agencies have closed 61 stores linked to organised crime and seized over two million illicit cigarettes, over 40,000 vapes, over 120kg of loose tobacco and over $500,000 cash.
VIPER and TLV have visited stores in Deer Park, Geelong, South Geelong, Corio, Thomson, Werribee, Colac, Forrest, Footscray and Lalor so far.
The deployments will continue across the state in the coming weeks.
The VIPER Taskforce is specifically targeting illicit tobacco stores linked to organised crime, including syndicates with offshore leaders.then operate the closed business.
Detective Inspector Anthony Gasparini, VIPER Taskforce, said: “Organised criminals are driven only by greed and have no regard for the harm they reap on individuals, families and our community.

