'Innocent parcels' caught up in illicit tobacco bust

A Melbourne homeowner is facing significant delays and mounting costs for her custom-made kitchen cabinets, which have been held in Australian quarantine since July. Amy Zhang ordered the cabinets from China for her new home, expecting delivery within a month, but they remain in Sydney, caught up in a recent crackdown on illicit tobacco and vape importations.

The situation is compounded by the fact that the logistics company responsible for delivering the cabinets, Top Logistics Australia (TLA), is connected to Peter Ping Xie. Xie, a director at TLA, has been charged with multiple offenses as part of a broader investigation that dismantled two alleged criminal networks. His charges include obtaining financial advantages by deception and dealing with proceeds of crime.

Zhang's construction project has stalled, with builders waiting for the cabinets to complete the kitchen. The delay is costing her hundreds of dollars each week for rental of portable toilets, fencing, and cameras. She has been unable to get a clear update on when her cabinets will be released, with the latest tracking information indicating only "shipment info received" on July 16.

An Australian Border Force spokesperson confirmed the immediate suspension of depot licenses for a national freight forwarding company involved in the crackdown, though the company was not named. Many other individuals have reported similar issues with delayed parcels, including items like ski clothing and children's costumes for Book Week, highlighting the widespread impact of the intensified inspections and enforcement actions.

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My construction site has basically stopped, and everyone is waiting for the cabinets to arrive.