A MIDDLE East man linked to illegal tobacco being sold from a Wodonga shop is facing an investigation by the immigration department.
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Khaled Ali, 35, was remanded in custody in Wodonga Court on Thursday on a charge of possessing the proceeds of crime.
Speaking outside court, Detective Leading Senior Constable Ray Causer said Ali, from Lebanon, was being probed over breaching his visa conditions.
In court, Ali told magistrate Ian Watkins he was hoping to meet immigration officials, a plea that could not be answered.
His lawyer Sally Wilson did not make a bail application, but said Ali would need an Arabic interpreter for his next appearance and had health concerns.
“He’s asthmatic and suffers from severe headaches,” Ms Wilson said.
“It’s his first time in custody and his English is very, very limited.”
Ali was ordered to face court again on January 12.
He was charged along with a co-accused, 20, after their High Street store, Aussie Gift and Accessories, was raided by police on Wednesday.
About 17,000 cigarettes were seized as well as $6000 in cash and four kilograms of raw tobacco.
The tobacco is not believed to have been grown in the North East.
The shop began trading again on Thursday with Senior Constable Causer saying all illicit material had been removed.
“If they want to go back into illegal activity we will act again,” he said.
