$4 million worth of illegal tobacco seized near Shepparton

The mature tobacco crop spanned nearly 2.4 hectares — the equivalent of about 456 tennis courts.

Officers also seized several trays of tobacco seedlings from the property.

The estimated excise value of the illicit tobacco uncovered under Operation Ocean is $4.4 million.

ATO assistant commissioner Jade Hawkins said detecting, disrupting and dismantling the illicit tobacco trade was a priority for the ATO.

Operation Ocean adds to the 90 completed illicit tobacco operational activities by the ATO between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2024.

It is illegal to grow tobacco in Australia without the appropriate excise licence, and currently no-one is licensed to do so.