For most people who work at the ATO, chasing tax evaders must be rather boring. They sit at their desks and review tax returns for undeclared income and ineligible deductions, impose penalties when the rules are breached and occasionally face a challenge in the tribunal or a court. But, overall, there is not much to get excited about.  

That’s not the case when it comes to pursuing those who evade tobacco excise. The ATO staff who are involved in that fly in helicopters, accompany police on raids and arrests, and destroy tobacco crops.  They must be the envy of the entire department.  

Growing tobacco in Australia, once widespread, has been illegal since 2006.