Five tobacconists in Cessnock have been ordered to close for 90 days after authorities seized more than $260,000 worth of illicit tobacco, vapes and nicotine products during a major joint-agency operation this week.

The operation, conducted under Operation SLOANE, saw officers from NSW Police’s Hunter Valley Police District and NSW Health inspectors carry out inspections at six businesses in the Cessnock CBD on Wednesday, 3 June 2026.

As a result, NSW Health issued short-term closure orders to five businesses, forcing them to cease trading for the next three months.

During the inspections, authorities allegedly uncovered:

• 208,745 illicit cigarettes
• More than 39 kilograms of loose tobacco leaf
• 852 vapes
• 35 nicotine pouches

The seized products have an estimated street value of approximately $260,500.

Police also declared crime scenes at two of the businesses and seized approximately $33,000 in cash.

Operation SLOANE was established in October 2025 as part of the NSW Illicit Tobacco Taskforce, a partnership between NSW Police and NSW Health targeting the illegal tobacco trade across the state.

Investigations are continuing, with authorities warning that further enforcement action, including prosecutions, may follow.

NSW Health says it uses intelligence gathered from public reports, law enforcement agencies and its own compliance investigations to target illegal tobacco retailers.

As of 29 May 2026, NSW Health had issued 279 short-term closure orders across New South Wales as part of its ongoing crackdown on illicit tobacco sales.

Retailers found breaching closure orders could face additional penalties, including licence sanctions, extended closure periods and prosecution.