MEDIA STATEMENT: Record-breaking raids in war on illicit tobacco and dangerous vapes

Record-breaking raids in war on illicit tobacco and dangerous vapes

• Queensland has seized the nation’s largest ever haul of illegal cigarettes and vapes by a health authority, under Queensland Health-led Operation Appaloosa. 
• More than 30 locations were raided, with 76,000 vapes, 19 million cigarettes and 3.6 tonnes of loose tobacco seized.
• The raids come as more than $5 million in fines were issued in the first week of the Government’s nation-leading fines – over $1 million more than in the final four months of Labor. 

Queensland has stepped up the war against illicit tobacco and dangerous vapes, with the nation’s largest ever haul of illegal products by a health authority, in an effort to keep them out of the hands of kids.  

More than 76,000 vapes, 19 million illicit cigarettes and 3.6 tonnes of loose illicit tobacco – with a combined estimated street value of $20.8 million - were seized during the record-breaking Operation Appaloosa in March.

Queensland Health raided more than 30 locations across Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Metro North, Metro South, and West Moreton, supported by the Queensland Police Service and the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

This crackdown came ahead of the 3 April 2025 commencement of the nation’s toughest on-the-spot fines for the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes, which means individuals can be fined $32,260 and businesses up to $161,300 if caught selling illicit tobacco and vapes.

In just the very first week of these new fines, illegal traders were hit with fines totalling $5,094,560. To put that into perspective, Labor averaged less than $250,000 in fines per week in their final months in office. 

Minister for Health Tim Nicholls said the Crisafulli Government was determined to keep dangerous vapes out of the hands of children by stamping out illegal chop shops.

“Labor allowed organised crime gangs to set up illegal chop shops in plain sight across the State, putting our kids at great risk,” Minister Nicholls said.

"We need to do everything possible to keep dangerous illegal vapes away from Queensland’s young people, which is why we’ve boosted enforcement and introduced serious new fines. 

“We’re hitting these illegal traders where it hurts most, by seizing their illicit goods to deprive them of generating a profit and hitting them with the nation’s toughest fines.

“The is the latest in our crackdown on illegal chop shops and we’ll continue to target this organised crime and keep dangerous vapes out of the hands of kids.”

Illicit tobacco or vape sales can be reported via the Queensland Health website or calling 13 QGOV (13 74 68).