Post by admin on Jul 28, 2011 20:23:27 GMT 10
Tax officers have seized 20 tonnes of illegally grown tobacco during a raid of 12 greenhouses in western Sydney.
The haul was so big it had to be transported in several trucks, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) said on Thursday.
The ATO investigates the illegal growing of tobacco given it is basically a tax dodge - every kilogram of tobacco bought from overseas is liable for a $420 excise duty.
It had a message for would-be offenders.
"If you grow illegal tobacco, consider this seizure as being put on notice," ATO deputy commissioner Michael Cranston said in a statement.
"It is only a matter of time before we find you."
Australia's commercial tobacco growing industry was shut down in 2006, with all manufacturers now sourcing the product from overseas.
In 2009-10, the ATO was involved in seven prosecutions relating to tobacco excise breaches.
The haul was so big it had to be transported in several trucks, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) said on Thursday.
The ATO investigates the illegal growing of tobacco given it is basically a tax dodge - every kilogram of tobacco bought from overseas is liable for a $420 excise duty.
It had a message for would-be offenders.
"If you grow illegal tobacco, consider this seizure as being put on notice," ATO deputy commissioner Michael Cranston said in a statement.
"It is only a matter of time before we find you."
Australia's commercial tobacco growing industry was shut down in 2006, with all manufacturers now sourcing the product from overseas.
In 2009-10, the ATO was involved in seven prosecutions relating to tobacco excise breaches.