Police have raided the newly opened ‘Quick Stop Convenience Store’ in King George Street, Cohuna, seizing illicit tobacco products and arresting a woman.
Police officers from Kerang, Cohuna and Koondrook executed a warrant at the tobacconist, which sells children’s toys front of house, at about 11.20am on Friday, September 20.
Officers located a total of 18,881 units made up of 80 cartons of cigarettes (16,000 units), 143 packets of 20-pack cigarettes (2,860 units) and 21 individual cigarettes; 1,945 grams of loose tobacco; and $2,246 from two hours of trade.
In total, the seized products equate to just under $30,000 of tax excise revenue lost.
A 69-year-old Cohuna woman, who was arrested at the scene, has been charged with possess tobacco products knowing that the goods were imported with intent to defraud the revenue; possess tobacco products and reckless as to whether the goods were imported with intent to defraud the revenue; deal with money and property being proceeds of an indictable crime; recklessly possess imported tobacco products; sell excisable goods – duty not paid; and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
She was bailed to appear before the Kerang Magistrate’s Court on December 19.
The raid follows concerns from business owners and the community who are still feeling the blow from the arson attack on Cohuna Flowers, Gifts & Accessories, the tobacconist believed to be owned and operated by the same business owners of the new store, just four doors down from the new shop.
It will be some time before businesses either side of the now demolished building return to normal trading, with ASM Insurance Brokers unable to return to their building yet, and Cohuna Health Balance operating limited services. An extensive section of verandah fronting several shops will also be replaced.
Businesses at the far end of the shopping strip are receiving less foot traffic with the temporary fencing and scaffolding protruding from the demolished shop to the road giving the appearance the street is cut off to pedestrians.
Quick Stop Convenience Store was open for business again on the weekend.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 26 September 2024.
