More than 500 kilograms of tobacco leaf and a tobacco crop have been seized and destroyed at a rural property in Bigga.
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NSW Police attended the 48-acre property on Bigga Road near Kangaroo Creek on Tuesday afternoon.
The owner had reported to police that unknown people were trespassing on his property and growing tobacco.
It is illegal to grow tobacco in Australia without an excise licence.
The Post understands the alleged trespassers had knowledge the owner was away for an extended period of time.
The property not connected to the Twelve Tribes property on Bigga Road also under investigation by police.
"Police have attended and located several hundred kilograms of tobacco leaf drying in a shipping container and a tobacco crop containing seedlings up to 10 centimetres high," said acting Inspector David Cowell.
"The located tobacco product equates to about $968,000 of unpaid excess to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)."
A crime scene was established and the investigation is ongoing.
Some of the seized tobacco was burnt by Bigga Rural Fire Brigade on Tuesday evening and arrangements were being made on Wednesday to destroy the rest.
Police are working alongside ATO investigators and the Australian Border Force-led Illicit Tobacco Taskforce
- As inquiries continue, anyone with information can call police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
