Victoria closes 61 illicit tobacco stores in four weeks under new enforcement powers

Key points

• Victoria has shut 61 stores in four weeks under new laws targeting illicit tobacco sales. Authorities seized millions of illegal cigarettes, 40,000 vapes, 120kg of loose tobacco and $500,000 in cash.
• The closures apply to businesses alleged to be linked to organised crime, with 90-day closure notices placed on shopfronts.
• Investigators are focusing on stores tied to crime networks, including offshore syndicates.