The illegal tobacco trade has become a very lucrative business worldwide.

In Australia for example, illegal, excise-evading cigarettes now comprise of half of the products sold to the country’s 2.7 million smokers, according to the ABC. It’s thought the $10 billion a year in revenue there is going straight into the pockets of organised crime.

But, has this trend made it to New Zealand shores? And how much of a headache is it causing those protecting our borders?

Today on The Front Page, head of Fraud and Prohibition, Chief Customs Officer Nigel Barnes, is with us to discuss how they’re cracking down on illegal tobacco.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

The illegal tobacco trade has become a very lucrative business worldwide.
In Australia for example, illegal, excise-evading cigarettes now comprise of half of the products sold to the country&rsquo;s 2.7 million smokers, according to the ABC. It&rsquo;s thought the $10 billion a year in revenue there is going straight into the pockets of organised crime.
But, has this trend made it to New Zealand shores? And how much of a headache is it causing those protecting our borders?
Today on The Front Page, head of Fraud and Prohibition, Chief Customs Officer Nigel Barnes, is with us to discuss how they&rsquo;re cracking down on illegal tobacco.
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.
Host: Chelsea Daniels Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.

Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. 

Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.
Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture.&nbsp;
Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Every day, The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald. Hosted by Damien Venuto

The Front Page

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

NZ Customs battles growing illicit tobacco smuggling trend

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e4df2081-932b-4e21-a6ca-b34100346521/transcript