Three tonnes of illicit tobacco worth more than $6 million has been seized in a joint investigation between Victoria Police and the tax office.
Police carried out five search warrants at large rural properties in western Victoria - three in Landsborough and two in Barkly.
Investigators alleged each property showed evidence of a recent tobacco harvest, though no tobacco was seized.
At a Johnsons Gully Road address in Barkly, police seized 20,000 illicit cigarettes and some cash.
A 40-year-old man was interviewed but released pending further inquiries.
Police also carried out another five searches in Sydenham, Delahey, and Melton South in north-west Melbourne.
At a Rose Court property in Sydenham, police seized 200kg of illicit tobacco, five guns which were allegedly improperly stored, shotgun rounds, documentation allegedly relating to the manufacture of illicit tobacco, and keys which are believed to be for illicit tobacco farms.
A 30-year-old man at the address was interviewed by police and is expected to be charged on summons.
At a Nelson Court address in Melton South, 1.5kg of cannabis, about $60,000 cash, 10 shotgun rounds and 1000kg of illicit tobacco were found.
A 47-year-old man residing at the property was charged with possessing illicit tobacco, possessing a traffickable quantity of drugs, possessing proceeds of crime, and firearms offences.
He was bailed to appear in court on October 2.
At Wordsworth Place in Delahey, police located 600kg of illicit tobacco, approximately $90,000 cash and six guns.
A 35-year-old man at the address will be charged on summons with possessing illicit tobacco to defraud the revenue, possessing proceeds of crime and firearms offences.
He will appear at court at a later date.
At a Spellman Avenue property in Sydenham, police located 900kg of illicit tobacco and a small quantity of cash.
A 39-year-old man residing at the address will be charged with possessing illicit tobacco and possessing the proceeds of crime.
At Lalwinya Street, Delahey, police located approximately 600kg of illicit tobacco.
Overall, the total weight of tobacco seized is over 3.3 tonnes and represents about $6 million in lost excise.
Police will allege the properties searched are linked to a significant leader of an organised crime syndicate involved in the illicit tobacco network.
The investigation is ongoing.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, celebrity and sport via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
