Police tape across the closed Moree Tobacconist shopfront at Balo Square Shopping Centre on the afternoon of Friday 30 October, two days into a 90-day NSW Health closure order. Photo: Moree Online News.
A woman faces three charges after police entered a Balo Street shop two days into a state-imposed closure. New England Police District officers attended about 12.40pm on Friday 30 October 2026.
NSW Police media told Moree Online News officers arrested a 34-year-old woman inside the business and took her to Moree Police Station. Police allege they found and seized more than 47,000 cigarettes and a large sum of cash during a search. They put the stock’s estimated street value at approximately $150,000.
Police charged her with entering closed premises without reasonable excuse and selling tobacco products from closed premises. A third charge alleges possession of illicit tobacco in a category covering at least 25,000 but fewer than 125,000 cigarettes. These are allegations, not findings of guilt.
The closure order and NSW Health register identify the premises as Moree Tobacconist, at Balo Square Shopping Centre, 85 Balo Street, Moree. It remains closed through 25 January 2027. The order does not apply to other businesses in Balo Square, which can keep trading.
Before police attended on Friday, NSW Health media told Moree Online News how the agencies enforce closures.
The agencies monitor premises while closure orders are in place and treat all reports of breaches seriously. If breaches are identified, the relevant agency will consider further closure orders and investigations for prosecution.
Anyone can report suspected illicit tobacco sales through the reporting portal on the NSW Health website. Its tobacco closure orders register is updated every Friday after 3pm.
Police said inquiries were ongoing. The woman has conditional bail to appear before Moree Local Court on Monday 16 November 2026.
