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Illegal tobacco worth more than $500,000 seized after crash near Grafton

The Lismore App

04 May 2025, 9:42 AM

Illegal tobacco worth more than $500,000 seized after crash near Grafton

Two men have been charged after illegal tobacco worth more than $500,000 was found when a truck crashed near Grafton this morning.


About 4am today (Sunday, 4 May 2025), emergency services were called to the Pacific Highway, Tucabia, 25km east of Grafton, following reports of a crash.



Officers attached to Coffs/Clarence Police District attended and found a truck had left the roadway, before rolling and landing on its side.


Two men, both aged 19, were able to get out of the truck uninjured; however, when the truck was checked, 125 boxes containing loose-leaf tobacco was discovered.



The boxes weighed in at about 2.5 tonnes, which have an estimated potential street value of $500,000. Police have been advised this is a total excise loss of more than $1m.


A crime scene was established, and investigations commenced.


  • The men were arrested and taken to Grafton Police Station where they were charged with,
  • Convey/possess tobacco products reckless re defraud revenue
  • Deal with property proceeds of crime greater than $100000
  • Goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle)



The driver was charged with an additional offence being:

  • Possess means of disguising face with intent commit indictable offence


They were bail refused to appear before Grafton Local Court tomorrow (Monday, 5 May 2025).


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