Courts & Police
19 June, 2026
Yass truck stop leads to $760,000 tobacco bust
A truck driver has been charged after police allegedly uncovered more than $760,000 worth of illicit tobacco and vape products during a traffic stop on the Hume Highway at Yass.
A truck driver has been charged after police allegedly uncovered more than $760,000 worth of illicit tobacco and vape products during a traffic stop on the Hume Highway at Yass.
About 2pm on Wednesday, 17 June, officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol stopped a truck travelling south after noticing it was displaying only one P-plate.
The driver, a 25-year-old man, underwent roadside testing which returned a negative result.
Police said further inquiries led officers to attempt a search of the vehicle, however the cargo area was locked and could not be accessed at the roadside.
The truck was subsequently taken to Yass Police Station where officers gained entry to the cargo area.
During a search, police allegedly located more than 495,000 cigarettes, 13.3 kilograms of tobacco and 310 vapes.
The seized items have an estimated street value of more than $760,000.
The 25-year-old man was charged with two counts of possess tobacco 50 times or more commercial quantity and possess commercial quantity of vaping goods.
He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear before Yass Local Court on Thursday, 30 July 2026.
The seizure formed part of a wider week of enforcement activity by Traffic and Highway Patrol officers, with police alleging more than $4.5 million worth of tobacco, vaping products and tobacco leaf was seized during three separate truck interceptions across NSW.
The truck was subsequently taken to Yass Police Station where officers gained entry to the cargo area.
During a search, police allegedly located more than 495,000 cigarettes, 13.3 kilograms of tobacco and 310 vapes.
The seized items have an estimated street value of more than $760,000.
The 25-year-old man was charged with two counts of possess tobacco 50 times or more commercial quantity and possess commercial quantity of vaping goods.
He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear before Yass Local Court on Thursday, 30 July 2026.
The seizure formed part of a wider week of enforcement activity by Traffic and Highway Patrol officers, with police alleging more than $4.5 million worth of tobacco, vaping products and tobacco leaf was seized during three separate truck interceptions across NSW.
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