Is 22 months long enough in gaol for stealing almost $3.6 million?

Well that’s what one Victorian woman got for her part in a large-scale operation which was supplying, distributing and selling imported and domestically manufactured illicit cigarettes and tobacco products.

Had this raid not gone ahead and this woman was not caught, the total duty evaded through the illegal tobacco would be worth almost $3.6 million.

This is a huge seizure and while it might be good to see this woman behind bars for a few years, the question remains - does the penalty fit the crime?

After all, what kind of sentence would you get for stealing $3.6 million from the bank?

It would be a whole lot longer than 22 months.

An operation this size suggests she wasn’t the only person involved in this crime. There is likely to be a wider criminal syndicate network involved.

Her actions were stealing directly from the taxpayer and putting that money in the hands of a sophisticated organised criminal group.

This is a great raid by Australian Border Force but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. The illicit tobacco trade results in over $3bn in lost taxes and duties every year.

Check out this episode of BUSTED to find out more!

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