Courts & Police
13 January, 2026
Man charged following seizure of illicit tobacco products valued over $400,000 in Camden
Camden detectives have charged a man after seizing illicit vapes, cigarettes and other tobacco products valued at over $400,000 following an investigation in Sydney’s southwest.
Camden detectives have charged a man after seizing illicit vapes, cigarettes and other tobacco products valued at over $400,000 following an investigation throughout Sydney’s southwest.
In March 2025, detectives attached to the Camden Police Area Command and NSW Health established Strike Force Electrona to investigate the supply and sale of illicit tobacco in the Camden area.
As part of investigations, strike force detectives have charged four men – who all remain before the courts – and have seized 162,000 cigarettes, 21kg of loose tobacco leaf and 2,500 vapes with an estimated street value of $260,000.
Following further inquiries, strike force detectives also executed a search warrant on a storage unit at a storage facility on Dick Johnson Drive, Oran Park, yesterday (Monday 12 January).
During the search, detectives located and seized 384,600 cigarettes, 1,070 vapes, nine kilos of loose tobacco leaf and 23 jars of nicotine gum.
The combined street value of all items seized during the search is estimated to be $426,850.
While officers were conducting the search a 30-year-old man attended the storage unit allegedly carrying additional illicit tobacco products.
He was arrested at the scene and taken to Narellan Police Station, where he was charged with 'deal with property proceeds of crime equal to or more than $100,000', 'supply vaping goods in New South Wales', 'possess more than 100x commercial quantity vaping goods in NSW', 'sell illicit tobacco', and 'possess tobacco 50x or more commercial quantity'.
The man was refused bail and appeared before Bail Division Local Court 3 today (Tuesday 13 January).
Investigations under Strike Force Electrona are continuing.
Read More: Camden, Wollondilly