Putting the chop on illicit tobacco crops

On March 31, 2025, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) issued an update regarding "Putting the chop on illicit tobacco crops". Illicit tobacco operations are run by organized crime syndicates, diverting vital funds from communities and into criminal hands. The ATO urges vigilance and reports of suspicious activity related to illicit tobacco production, highlighting a recent successful operation in rural Victoria that seized over 16 tonnes of illicit tobacco worth nearly $35 million.