Four Chinese nationals have been charged in Melbourne with importing illicit tobacco products after a police operation uncovered an alleged tobacco smuggling syndicate with connections to significant money laundering activities, 9 News reported.

The charges relate to the importation of 2.5 million illegal cigarettes, and the laundering of AUD 11 million (EUR 7 million) over a period of six months, the news agency said.
The Chinese nationals, four men and two women, were arrested in Templestowe, east Melbourne, as federal police and border force officials raided a storage facility located some 20 km away. The men were charged with smuggling tobacco, and both the men and women were charged with proceeds of crime offences.
Authorities had identified the smuggling network six months earlier and had been tracking the persons since that time, the news agency said.
The smuggling syndicate was significant, according to Law Enforcement Minister Angus Taylor, who said the illicit tobacco seized was worth around AUD 1.75 million in evaded taxes.
"This operation highlights the significant links between illicit tobacco and organised crime," Taylor was quoted as saying.