Courts & Police
14 August, 2026
Operation Fume: $1.46m illegal smokes and vapes busted on Hume
A massive haul of illegal cigarettes and vapes has been uncovered after police diverted northbound Hume Highway traffic through a major roadside operation north of Yass.
A massive haul of illegal cigarettes and vapes has been uncovered after police diverted northbound Hume Highway traffic through a major roadside operation north of Yass.
Operation Fume ran at the Mundoonan Rest Area at Jerrawa, about 20 kilometres north of Yass, from 11am on Wednesday until 3am Thursday.
The operation was led by NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Command with assistance from The Hume Police District, NSW Dog Unit, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and Transport for NSW.
Police said the operation was launched in response to ongoing road safety concerns following recent serious and fatal crashes involving cars and heavy vehicles along the Hume Highway corridor.
All northbound traffic was diverted through the rest area, where police conducted breath and drug testing while also targeting vehicle compliance and other alleged criminal activity.
Police conducted 369 breath tests, detecting one alleged drink-driving offence.
Another 81 roadside drug tests were carried out, with six returning positive results.
Officers also issued 16 infringement notices and one defect notice, conducted 49 heavy vehicle compliance checks and detected two unauthorised drivers.
Three vehicles were searched.
The biggest discovery came about 11pm when police stopped a Mercedes Sprinter van.
Police searched the vehicle and allegedly discovered 869,000 illegal cigarettes with an estimated street value of $1.3 million.
A 24-year-old man and 38-year-old woman were arrested and taken to Yass Police Station, where they were charged with possessing more than a commercial quantity of tobacco.
Both are due to appear before Yass Local Court on Thursday, October 1.
Shortly before 11pm, police also stopped and searched a Mitsubishi Canter.
Officers allegedly discovered 3,200 vapes with an estimated value of $160,000.
A 32-year-old man was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice for allegedly possessing a commercial quantity of vaping goods.
He is also due to appear before Yass Local Court on October 1.
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