MORE than 254,000 cigarettes allegedly destined for the black market of Australia have been discovered by police patrolling the Hume Freeway.
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The cigarettes were found in a Mercedes Sprinter van stopped by Benalla police on the freeway near Baddaginnie on Thursday afternoon.
It is alleged the cigarettes were bound for the black market and had circumvented $100,000 in tariffs.
The driver and passenger, both men from Sydney, were charged with dealing in property suspected of being proceeds of crime.
They have been bailed to face Benalla Court on September 1.
The case has highlighted the issue of illegal tobacco in Australia.
British American Tobacco spokesman Scott McIntyre said increases in excise was fuelling growth in illegal cigarettes.
“Smokers are being slugged around an extra 20 per cent in tax each year on top of the cost of their cigarettes which is changing their purchasing behaviour due to excise spikes," Mr McIntyre said.
"They’re now looking for illegal packs which are typically half the price."
