Five men have been charged after two tonnes of illicit tobacco was seized from a cargo facility in Sydney on Monday.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Customs and Border Protection said 2250kg of tobacco was found at the Sydney Cargo Examination Facility on Monday, concealed within bamboo blinds in a shipping container sent from Indonesia.
Since then, five men have been arrested. AAP reports they are accused of trying to evade $A996,997.50 in duties.
Recent amendments to the Customs Act have increased the maximum penalty for smuggling illicit tobacco products, to up to 10 years prison or a fine equalling five times the duty evaded, or both.
