POLICE seized about $300,000 worth of illegal cigarettes and vapes, and $50,000 in cash after search warrants were executed at multiple tobacconist premises across Moree over the weekend.

New England Police District Inspector Dwayne De Vries said a Moree general duties team conducted targeted inspections under the Therapeutic Goods Act at multiple tobacconist premises in Moree between Friday, August 28 and Sunday, August 31.

“My general duties team and I inspected a Moree tobacconist on Friday. We seized about $250,000 worth of illegal cigarettes and vapes and $30,000 cash, and seized more on Sunday,” Insp De Vries said.

“These inspections focused on the unlawful procurement and sale of illegal electronic cigarettes – vapes.

“As a result of this local operation, Police seized approximately $300,000 worth of illegal electronic cigarettes and illegal tobacco-related products, along with $50,000 in cash,” he said.

“This outcome represents a significant disruption to illegal business activities in the area and is a highly favourable result for Moree.

“It is a big community issue, especially with young kids having access to vapes,” he said.

Insp De Vries said investigations are continuing, with legal action pending.

Part of the huge haul of illegal cigarettes and vapes seized by a Moree Police general duties team on Friday.

Member for Northern Tablelands, Brendan Moylan, said the operation was a huge win for Moree.

“It’s good news,” Mr Moylan said.
“Our local police have done a great job. As a community, we do not want our kids vaping, and I thank our local police for this operation.”

Meanwhile, an investigation is underway after a man was injured in a home at Tamworth early Saturday.

At around 3am, emergency services were called to a home on Gabriella Way, Hillvue, following reports of an alleged break-and-enter.

On arrival, officers attached to Oxley Police District located a 42-year-old man with injuries to his hand and face.

Police were told three unknown people entered the address before assaulting the man and leaving the area in a Subaru SUV, which is believed to have earlier been stolen from an address on Anne Street.

Three other people inside the address at the time of the incident were uninjured.

The man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Tamworth Hospital in a stable condition.

A crime scene has been established and police have commenced an investigation into the incident.

The vehicle believed to be involved was later located on fire in Chisholm Street, West Tamworth.

The fire was extinguished by Fire and Rescue NSW and a second crime scene was established by police at this location.

As inquiries continue, anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Tamworth Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000.

Also at Tamworth, 13 people will face more than 30 charges under Operation Soteria during a three-day surge operation.

Operation Soteria is a strategic initiative focusing on aggravated break, enter and steal offences, stealing motor vehicles, and ‘post and boast’ offences where social media is used to gain notoriety.

The three-day operation, which included officers from Oxley Police District, Traffic and Highway Patrol and the Youth Command, ran between Thursday, August 28 and Saturday, August 30, with a focus on Tamworth.

During the operation, officers conducted 33 bail compliance and apprehended domestic violence order checks and 20 person searches.

Youth Command engaged with 11 known youth, patrolled 11 schools, facilitated the Fit for Life program in Tamworth, which was coupled with the Young Drivers expo, where 28 schools participated, with 1200 youth attending over the two days.

Additionally, Traffic and Highway patrol conducted 320 stationary and mobile breath tests, issued 57 traffic infringements and conducted 47 random drug tests with 16 of those returning positive tests.

Inquiries under Operation Soteria continue.