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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
Lucy Arundell

Police seize almost $130k worth of vapes, investigate alleged supply ring

Two men are said to be linked to importing almost $130,000 worth of vapes, as police investigate an alleged supply ring in the territory.

Ainslie man Muhannad Haddara, 19, allegedly arranged for a delivery of thousands of vapes, worth about $127,000, which was intercepted by the Australian Border Force on Tuesday.

Another man allegedly involved with the vape ring, Benjie Tari Nishai Seru, 20, was also arrested after police found almost 300 vapes and more than $3000 of cash at his home.

On Wednesday, Haddara did not enter pleas to charges of possessing at least 100 times the commercial quantity of vaping goods and importing vaping goods.

Benjie Tari Nishai Seru, left, and Muhannad Haddara leave the ACT Magistrates court after being granted bail. Pictures by Lucy Arundell

Nishai Seru also did not enter pleas for three vape-related charges, including possessing the devices in a commercial quantity and supplying them, and one charge of possessing suspected proceeds of crime.

In the ACT Magistrates Court, magistrate Glenn Theakston granted both men bail, on the condition that they surrender their passports and report weekly to ACT police.

A prosecutor did not oppose them being granted bail.

The shipment of vapes that was intercepted by border security. Pictures supplied

Police allege the men were part of a group that sold vapes across the ACT and surrounding region.

Two other men, Phuc Tran, 24 and Saeed Haddara, 26, have previously been accused of involvement in the group.

Police have seized more than three kilograms of cannabis-laced gummies, more than two kilograms of dried cannabis, almost 4000 vapes and about $43,000 suspected of being the proceeds of crime as part of the investigation.

Muhannad Haddara and Nishai Seru are set to face court again in November.

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