Enforcement action disrupts illicit vape distribution network in Sydney

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), working with the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) and other state and Commonwealth enforcement agencies, supported coordinated enforcement operations targeting a logistics company allegedly involved in the importation, storage and distribution of vaping goods, nicotine pouches, illicit tobacco and other unlawful products.

In January 2026, the TGA commenced an investigation into the alleged supply and possession of unlawful vaping goods, following intelligence provided by the NSWPF. As part of the investigation, the TGA worked alongside the NSWPF-led Multi Agency Strike Team (MAST) to disrupt the illicit supply of vaping goods across NSW.

Intelligence gathered through these joint efforts resulted in the TGA executing 3 search warrants on 3 February 2026 at a commercial storage facility in Burwood, NSW. With assistance from the NSWPF and the Australian Federal Police, the TGA-led search warrants resulted in the seizure of 57,156 vaping goods with an estimated street value of $2.8 million.

Building on intelligence gathered throughout the investigation, further search warrants were executed at commercial storage facilities in Revesby and Marrickville on 21 July 2026. The operation resulted in the TGA seizing 188,117 vaping goods, with an estimated street value of $9.4 million. TGA investigations into the alleged offending remain ongoing.

On 13 August 2026, under the auspices of the MAST, the TGA also supported the NSWPF-led Strike Force Borderdale multi-agency operation, which executed 2 simultaneous Commonwealth search warrants at a warehouse in Bankstown. The TGA assisted with the identification, certification, transport and storage of seized goods, resulting in the seizure of approximately 200 vaping goods and 60,000 nicotine pouches, with a combined estimated street value of approximately $70,000.

Collectively, these operations resulted in the seizure of approximately 245,473 unlawful vaping goods and 60,000 nicotine pouches, with a total estimated street value of over $12.3 million, significantly disrupting the illicit supply of nicotine products into NSW.

These outcomes demonstrate the strength of the partnership between the TGA, NSWPF and other enforcement agencies, and the value of intelligence-led, coordinated enforcement action in identifying, targeting and disrupting unlawful supply chains.

Non-compliance with the vaping provisions in the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 can attract significant penalties, including imprisonment for up to 7 years, or fines of up to $2.55 million per contravention for individuals and $25.5 million per contravention for corporations.

The TGA encourages anyone with information about the unlawful supply of vaping goods to report it via the TGA website.

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Professor Anthony Lawler, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and Head of the TGA

"These significant seizures demonstrate the strength of the TGA's partnership with the New South Wales Police Force and other enforcement agencies in disrupting the illicit vape market. Those seeking to profit from the illicit vape trade should be aware that enforcement action will continue and there are significant penalties for non-compliance".

Contact for members of the media:

• Email: news@health.gov.au
• Phone: 02 6289 7400