A group of illegal immigrants have been arrested and a tobacconist shut down in a massive crackdown on illicit tobacco distribution and migrant worker exploitation in Far North Queensland.
The Australian Border Force said it conducted 180 status checks and located 25 persons of interest, including 12 “unlawful non citizens” during a four day operation in Innisfail, Mareeba, Atherton and Dimbulah.
The illegal immigrants were living and working at the tobacco store and at another property “housing 13 people in unsafe and squalid conditions”.
Six of the illegals were placed in immigration detention and are set to be deported, while the remainder were given bridging visas with strict conditions requiring them to leave the country or make new visa applications.
Four Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers who had left the scheme were also identified and referred to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to re-engage in farm labour employment.
The ABF said investigations were underway into tobacco stores, one of which has been shut down by Queensland Health, as part of “ongoing illicit tobacco disruption activities targeting criminal syndicates”.
“This operation is a sharp reminder that non citizens without a valid visa should leave Australia immediately or face enforcement action, including detention and removal,” ABF Commander John Taylor said.
“ABF officers remain focused on protecting the Australian community by identifying and addressing risks posed by non citizens engaged in unlawful or criminal activity.”
“The Australian Border Force is maintaining the integrity of Australia’s migration system and protecting migrant workers from exploitation through active and coordinated enforcement in Far North Queensland and across the country.”
The crackdown comes after a similar operation in January across Cairns, the Atherton Tablelands, and the Cassowary Coast that resulted in four “high-priority unlawful non-citizens” being arrested and detained for removal from Australia.
Header image: Left, ABF officers at the tobacco store. Right, during the crackdown (ABF).
