2022
Incorporating
Wednesday, Junee 12, 2024
Phone: (03) 5775 2115
www.mansfieldcourier.com.au
$2.00 (inc.GST)
SNOW WHITE SMILES PIA Dumbrell, Rafi Dumbrell and Lenny Dumbrell enjoying the snow on Bourke Street over Mount Buller’s opening weeekend. PHOTO: Trinity Knight
Page 3
REFUGEE WEEK IN MANSFIELD
Page 12
HOSPITAL EX-BOARD MEMBERS SPEAK
Second seizure at tobacco shop Police raid TSG confiscating g 10 thousand cigarettes g 800 vapes p and $ $7500 in cash By HANNAH KENNELLY POLICE raided Mansfield Tobacco Station Group (TSG) for the second time in six months last Wednesday, seizing a number of illicit items and placing a male shopkeeper under arrest. Police executed a commonwealth search warrant for illegal imported tobacco, as part of their ongoing efforts to stop the “tobacco wars” between rival organised crime groups. Sergeant Aaron Diwell said Mansfield police raided the Chenery Street establishment in early February this year after receiving information from the public and Crime Stoppers. Despite several warnings, Sergeant Diwell said the store
continued to offend. During the second raid, police seized approximately 10 thousand cigarettes which have allegedly been imported from Asia and Europe, 800 vapes and $7500 in cash. A previous statement from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) advised that from March 1, 2024, the importation of all nontherapeutic vapes were prohibited. Sergeant Diwell confirmed the store’s shopkeeper had been arrested and was currently assisting with their enquiries. “The proprietor of the store is not in Mansfield at the moment, but we will be speaking to them,” Sergeant Diwell said. “The bottom line, if they are
TRACTOR SERVICE SPECIAL
going to continue to offend and sell illegal vapes to kids in Mansfield, we are going to disrupt their business and execute search warrants. “After today’s raid, there is nothing special about this store, only the lawful products remain.” The controversial opening of the store mid last year sparked varied commentary around town, with a number of residents expressing concern for the health and wellbeing of the community, especially high school students. During the February raid this year, police seized quantities of loose tobacco and imported cigarettes from China and the United Kingdom and also retrieved a considerable sum of cash from the premises.
Have your 26hp+ tractor serviced in store or on-site through the months of May, June and July and go in the draw to win a FREE Stihl MS661 Chainsaw.
The raids are consistent with arrests across Victoria as police continue to crack down on rival gangs fighting over the income generated by the sale of illicit tobacco. Tobacco stores in Croydon, Moe, Altona, Altona North and Sunshine were torched over the past 12 months. In early May, a tobacco store in Glenroy was set alight and minutes later a second tobacco store in Belair Avenue caught fire. Sergeant Diwell urged the Mansfield community to report any suspicious activity to police or Crime Stoppers, especially if the activity involved the sale of illicit items to children. “If you see anything or hear anything, we want to know,” he said.
FREE CHAINSAW
VALUED AT $
2499
CRACK DOWN: Mansfield police raided the Chenery Street tobacco store last Wednesday. PHOTO: Hannah Kennelly
SECOND TIME: Police seized 10 thousand cigarettes, 800 vapes and $7500 in cash. PHOTO: Trinity Knight
WE CAN SER SERVICE ANY MAKE & MODEL MO !!