The latest tactic in Australia's illegal tobacco trade is hiding in plain sight

Counterfeit cigarettes with Australian-style plain packaging are being produced on an industrial scale in South-East Asia, raising concerns about detecting illegal cigarettes.

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Australian Border Force has seized fake cigarettes copying Australia's plain packaging, according to ABC News. The tactic of using fake plain packaging is raising concerns about detecting illegal cigarettes as the federal government seeks urgent parliamentary support for tougher enforcement powers.

Criminal syndicates are producing counterfeit cigarettes with Australian-style plain packaging that could fool the public and authorities. This has sparked calls for the 'urgent' passing of tough new illicit tobacco laws.

New intelligence provided to the federal government has confirmed illegal products are being manufactured on an 'industrial scale' in Cambodia and other countries in South-East Asia in factories owned, financed and controlled by organised crime groups.

Recent offshore law enforcement operations have identified cigarette and tobacco products destined for Australia featuring the country's standard green plain packaging and legitimate health warnings. This has fuelled concerns that both the general public and Australian law enforcement would have limited ability to distinguish between illegal and genuine cigarettes on appearance alone.

The government is seeking the support of the Coalition and other senators to immediately pass laws that would give authorities new powers to shutter the illegal tobacco trade. The proposed laws would create new offences that allow authorities to rely on factors including suspiciously cheap prices, branded packaging or concealed products to show tobacco had entered Australia unlawfully.

Assistant Minister for Customs Julian Hill said serious and organised criminal syndicates had 'weaponised' the cheap oversupply of tobacco globally and would 'do anything to make a buck'.