Police say they have arrested a major player in Victoria's illegal tobacco market after raids across various Melbourne suburbs.

Victoria Police said a 49-year-old North Coburg man was arrested and charged with masterminding the importation of large quantities of illegal tobacco.

Police accuse the man of dodging around $36.3 million in Commonwealth excise taxes.

A 29-year-old Meadow Heights man was also arrested and charged with conspiracy to import tobacco.

Both men will face court today.

The alleged ringleader behind the illegal tobacco syndicate was arrested following intelligence from the Australian Border Force-led Illicit Tobacco Taskforce.

Investigators say the illegal tobacco was brought to Australia by sea and air freight, concealed inside shipments of kitchen items and cloth

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