A Far South Coast Court has reportedly been told a tobacconist shop reluctantly sold illegal cigarettes and vapes due to business pressures and numerous customers stopping coming into the store because they were after cheaper products.
Five Patel brothers, ranging in age from 28 to 38, had pleaded guilty to two offences each after a bust on the Cignall outlet in Moruya.
The Bay Post reports Batemans Bay Local Court was told the charges related to illegal tobacco products to the “street value” of $369,000. Due to government excise on tobacco, a retail value would be closer to $717,000.
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Each man was given a 12-month good behaviour bond and ordered to perform 150 hours of community service work.
