A 42-year-old Christchurch man has been sentenced to three years and four months in prison for his role in a large-scale illegal tobacco importing and manufacturing operation.
He was found guilty of nine charges, including the unlicensed manufacture of tobacco products, burglary, possession of uncustomed goods, removing goods from a Customs Controlled Area (CCA), and defrauding Customs of $1.56 million in revenue.
A cigarette-making machine used by the offender / supplied
The man was arrested on 24 June 2024 after a joint investigation by Customs and Police into a burglary at a CCA in Christchurch.
CCTV footage captured a man removing boxes labelled as tea imported from China, though authorities suspected they contained loose tobacco.
Customs later identified the same man as the importer of the tobacco. A search warrant executed at his business address uncovered an extensive illegal tobacco manufacturing site.
Seized during the search were 423 kilograms of loose tobacco, 16,486 cigarettes, manufacturing machinery, branded cigarette labels, boxes of cigarettes, and nearly $2,500 in cash.
In August 2024, a further 317 kilograms of loose tobacco and 9,000 cigarettes destined for the illegal operation were intercepted at the border.
In total, Customs estimates 740 kilograms of illicit tobacco were seized, representing $1.56 million in lost revenue.
Acting Chief Customs Officer for Fraud and Prohibition, Bevan Cameron, said the scale and sophistication of the operation made it one of the South Island’s most significant seizures.
“Criminal groups will attempt to smuggle illicit cigarettes through air, sea cargo and international mail,” Cameron said. “Whichever pathway they choose, Customs is actively looking for them and intends to find them.”
“Offenders need to know they will face consequences if they choose to trade in the illicit tobacco market. This man thought he was beyond the reach of the law and tried to evade $1.56 million of potential revenue destined to pay for public services. He now faces jail.”
Customs encourages anyone with information about suspicious activity to contact them confidentially on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
