The seizures come as the tobacco industry warns the Government's plain packaging laws and high excise taxes will lead to a growth in the black market - a claim rejected by public health experts.
Australia's commercial tobacco-growing industry shut down in 2006, but Australian Tax Office deputy commissioner Michael Cranston says there are a few people in Sydney's west who appear intent on growing their own and selling it.
"There was an estimated amount of up to 20 tonnes seized today by the Australian Taxation Office from 12 greenhouses in Western Sydney," he said.
"Twenty tonnes would have an estimated excise value of about $5 million."
The ATO has conducted six similar raids since the industry was shut down, and Mr Cranston says it is an ongoing concern.
"We work with the community in relation to obtaining intelligence, we work very closely with law enforcement," he said.
"Today's seizure was a result of finding a particular truck that had tobacco and the operation then led us to these greenhouses.
"Other times we actually conduct aerial surveillance on properties of high risk to also look for illegally-grown tobacco."
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