Former wife of tobacco baron alleges horrific life entangled in illegal trade

Kawther Salih, the former wife of a tobacco baron, has detailed a horrific life entangled in Australia's illegal tobacco trade, describing her experience as "forced labor on women."

Salih, who was married at 17 in an arranged marriage to Sam Albion (also known as Mohammad Al Dilami), alleges the union quickly devolved into an abusive relationship. She claims she was subjugated into working in the underground tobacco industry, packing smuggled tobacco and dealing with illicit products.

“

It was like forced labour on women … it was a nasty situation

"It was like forced labour on women … it was a nasty situation," she told ABC News. Salih recounted witnessing tobacco being smuggled in via fake doors and being forced to pack "chop-chop" into sealed lunch bags, offering a glimpse into the booming trade of cheap illegal tobacco, estimated by the Illicit Tobacco Commissioner to be worth up to $7 billion.

“

But nobody [knows] about how we lived. It was horror.

Despite the potential risks, Salih is speaking out to encourage other women in similar situations. "I'm here to tell and encourage the women: don't give into this situation. The power that they are having is from us," she stated.

Her testimony comes as the illicit tobacco trade is viewed through various lenses, including policy failures related to high taxes on legal tobacco and instances of arson-fueled violence. Salih's account, however, focuses on the personal horror experienced by those within the trade.

“

I'm here to tell and encourage the women: don't give into this situation. The power that they are having is from us