Tuesday's police sting is more evidence that Tasmania's illegal tobacco plague is "interconnected" with organised crime.
That's the view of Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck after two Risdon Vale women, in their 20s, were allegedly busted coming off the Spirit of Tasmania with cocaine, enough ice for 9800 street deals, 34 cartons of illicit cigarettes and about 76 vapes.
Illegal tobacco and vape sales have exploded across Tasmania in the past few years, with shops brazenly selling illegal products across the North, North-West and South.
Many legitimate cigarette retailers have reported losing 70 per cent of their trade, while illegal traders reportedly rake in $100,000 profit a week.
Many smokers and non-smokers alike have laid the blame at excessive federal government excises, which raise the cost of a cigarette packet by about $30.
On the mainland, the illicit tobacco trade has consistently been linked with firebombings and crime.
Senator Colbeck said it was important to remember that illicit tobacco is "not a victimless crime".
"What we're seeing in Devonport is exactly why illicit tobacco cannot be ignored," Senator Colbeck said.
"This wasn't just about illegal cigarettes. It was drugs, trafficking and organised crime operating through our ports.
"If we fail to act decisively, we allow these networks to grow, expand, and continue bringing serious harm into Tasmanian communities."
Tasmania's tobacco control team have been regularly raiding known illegal traders across the state.
But weak laws, which are being targeted by reforms poised to come before Tasmania's upper house, mean consequences for those caught selling illegal products are minimal.
Law-abiding business owners say when a raid is carried out, law enforcement confiscates any illegal products found on site.
The offending shop then closes for an hour or so, only to reopen when new stock arrives.
Senator Colbeck said cracking down on illegal tobacco was not only about lost federal revenue - $8 billion a year and counting - but keeping drugs and weapons off Tasmanian streets.
"If we are serious about community safety, we must be serious about crushing the illicit tobacco trade," he said.
"That means not just stronger enforcement, but a clear commitment to shutting down the black market that underpins this activity through serious consideration of the current excise taxes which have created it, and better coordination across jurisdictions.
"All of us want to see a reduction in the number of Australians smoking, however, a 40 per cent increase in nicotine consumption over the last eight years and a booming illegal market shows the current policy framework has failed in all respects and something needs to give."