Washington State Police have revealed that a joint investigation led to the alleged discovery of a $10 million illegal tobacco business linked to organized crime groups in the Middle East.

Details of an investigation involving Victoria Police, the Australian Border Force and the WA Department of Health were published on Friday following information that a 29-year-old Victoria man had moved to WA to set up an “illegal tobacco network” two years ago. .

They allege the man’s criminal activity has escalated in recent months, leading to the execution of 50 search warrants at private residences, warehouses, retail outlets including tobacco and convenience stores and gift shops in the WA region and the Perth metropolitan area.

Over three days of searches, 5.1 million illicit cigarettes, $1.7 million in cash, 1.4 tons of illicit loose tobacco, 41,000 vaporizers and cars worth more than $500,000 were found.

Seven men and two women were detained and charged, including some with alleged links to a Middle Eastern criminal group.

As part of the same investigation, Victoria Police also searched six homes where they say they found weapons, illegal cigarettes, drugs, a crossbow, ammunition and stolen cars.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Jeff Beros, of WA Police’s Serious and Organized Crime Unit, said the illicit tobacco trade had attractive profit margins.

“This has created an environment in which organized crime groups aggressively compete for market share, resulting in violent crimes such as criminal damage, threats and extortion in our community,” he said.