Victoria Police have closed 61 stores in just four weeks under a sweeping crackdown on illicit tobacco and vapes linked to organised crime. The closures, led by the VIPER Taskforce alongside Tobacco Licensing Victoria (TLV), follow new enforcement powers that took effect on 9 September 2026 under the Tobacco Act 1987. Those powers allow police to issue 90-day closure notices to stores caught selling illicit tobacco.
The four-week haul
The blitz netted a staggering seizure tally. Officers confiscated over two million illicit cigarettes, more than 40,000 vapes, over 120kg of loose tobacco, and more than $500,000 in cash. Police estimate the illicit tobacco alone is worth around $3 million.
| Item seized | Amount |
|---|---|
| Illicit cigarettes | Over 2 million |
| Vapes | Over 40,000 |
| Loose tobacco | Over 120kg |
| Cash | Over $500,000 |
Statewide and still going
The operation covers the whole state. Stores have been visited in Deer Park, Geelong, South Geelong, Corio, Thomson, Werribee, Colac, Forrest, Footscray and Lalor, and police say deployments are continuing. VIPER targets illicit tobacco stores linked to organised crime, including syndicates run by offshore leaders. The Criminal Proceeds Squad is assisting with a view to debanking the offending entities.
Detective Inspector Anthony Gasparini of the VIPER Taskforce said organised criminals are driven only by greed, with no regard for the harm they cause, and that profits would fund further criminal activity.
Closure stickers carry real force
Every closed store gets a yellow closure sticker affixed to the premises. Removing the sticker, or continuing to operate the closed business, is an offence.
The blitz follows other recent retail enforcement, including the Doncaster shop closure. Shoppers unsure where products come from can learn to spot fake vapes before buying.
Why the crackdown matters for vapers
Illicit vapes sold through organised-crime networks bypass every consumer protection that legal sales carry. There is no check on nicotine strength, no ingredient disclosure, and no age verification. Police say the crackdown is not slowing down, and with 90-day closure notices now in the toolkit, more shut stores are expected in the coming weeks.
Source: Victoria Police, https://www.police.vic.gov.au/over-sixty-stores-closed-3m-worth-illicit-tobacco-and-over-500k-cash-seized