Coonabarabran Times (digital edition) - 11.5.2023

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PRUGGERS

For Bus and Coach Hire Phone

6842 1342

SHADY ROCK Nursery, Florist and

Coonabarabran Times

• 1557 Vol. 36 No. 41 SINGLE COPY — $3.00 (includes GST) SUBSCRIPTIONS — $270 pa (print) $150 pa (digital)

THURSDAY, 11TH MAY 2023

Landscaping Supplies

Open: Wed - Sun 10am - 5pm PH: 6842 2500 P: (02) 6842 1844 E: info@coonabarabrantimes.com www.coonabarabrantimes.com

COONABARABRAN – THE ASTRONOMY CAPITAL OF AUSTRALIA

CHRIS FINISHES UP

WATTLE HITS THE SHELVES

TIBUC GARDENS MARKETS

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Crime taskforce raids Crime illicit tobacco farm A Binnaway property recently attracted national attention for illicit farming activity and other criminal offences. More than 77,000 kilograms of illicit tobacco have been seized and destroyed at a property in Binnaway. The Illicit Tobacco Taskforce’s (ITTF) Operation Junglevine2, led by officers from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and supported by the Australian Border Force (ABF) and New South Wales Police carried out the raid. Officers uncovered more than nine acres of illicit tobacco, 170 kilograms of dried leaf tobacco, and three kilns. The tobacco had a total combined potential excise value of more than $11.9 million. Officers also uncovered a number of safes containing unlicenced firearms and ammunition, which were seized by NSW Police for further investigation. Authorities attended the property in Binnaway and executed a warrant at about 10:45am on Thursday, 27 April. The operation was attended by detectives from Operation Phobetor, comprising the NSW Police Force’s State Crime Command, the Australian

Federal Police (AFP), and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), and in conjunction with investigators from the ATO and the ABF-led Illicit Tobacco Taskforce. ATO Assistant Commissioner, Jade Hawkins, explained that orchestrated illicit tobacco g row i n g op e r a t i o n s o f t e n involve organised crime syndicates. “The people behind these arrangements are not honest, hardworking Australians. “They are organised criminals who use the money from their illegal activities to fund their extravagant lifestyles,” Ms Hawkins said. “Criminals living and operating in local communities often target genuine farmers and landowners and trick them into renting land for illegal tobacco crops. “Criminals who deal in illicit tobacco pose a serious threat to the Australian community. Evading excise duty on tobacco costs the community millions of dollars that could be spent on essential community services.”

Pictured: The illicit tobacco crop operation at Binnaway, as seen from above. Photo: NSW Police Force.

DAVID GRANT Livestock Agency

LANDFOR FOR YOUR SALE...FIRST FAMILY HOME LAND 4166 BARADINE RD, COONABARABRAN • Vacant land close to town • House and shed pad • Power, phone (land line) available with good mobile service • Not fenced • Land size 1.507 Ha

PRICE: $90,000

This information has been obtained from a third party. We make no representation to its accuracy. All photos, computer images and maps are indicative only. We are merely passing on the information. Interested parties should make their own enquires.

M: 0439 421 436

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P: 6842 7963

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E: grantd@bigpond.net.au

www.dglivestock-property.com.au 1 - Coonabarabran Times, Thursday, 11th May 2023


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