Thousands of vapes and illicit tobacco worth more than $2.3 million have been seized after detectives allegedly uncovered a network funnelling criminal profits through retail tobacco fronts on the NSW far north coast.

More than 18,000 vapes, 1.9 million illicit cigarettes, 74 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco and five unregistered firearms were seized by the NSW Police organised crime squad this week, with assistance from Australian Border Force and NSW Health, in the Byron Shire region. Strike Force Franklin was launched in December 2024 to tackle illicit tobacco trade across the state.

The vast majority of the tobacco and vapes was allegedly uncovered in three storage units at Mullumbimby, where investigators seized 17,120 vapes, more than 1.8 million illicit cigarettes and 62 kilograms

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