Law enforcement agencies raided more than 100 Metro Petroleum service stations across Australia on Tuesday, 11 August, seizing illegal tobacco and vapes in a coordinated multi-jurisdictional crackdown known as Operation Shorthand, according to the Australian Border Force.
Operation Shorthand Targets Metro Petroleum Nationwide
The Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group coordinated the operation across the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia. Tasmania and the Northern Territory were excluded from the raids because Metro Petroleum maintains little presence in those jurisdictions, according to the Australian Border Force. Approximately 250 law enforcement and regulatory officers from 15 agencies took part in the simultaneous enforcement activity. Among the organizations involved were state health and police departments alongside the Australian Federal Police, Access Canberra, ACT Policing, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Therapeutic Goods Administration, NSW Police Force, NSW Crime Commission, and the Australian Border Force.
Intelligence Links Servos to Organized Crime
Operation Shorthand followed an intelligence referral to the Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group by the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. The referral identified alleged links between the service stations, suspected criminal activity, and the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes. Australian Federal Police Superintendent Crime Command Jim Rowe stated that intelligence suggested the sale of illicit tobacco through the targeted service stations was organized, sophisticated, and resilient. At Parliament House, Federal Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Customs Julian Hill held an impromptu media briefing to make the raids public, cautioning that authorities are actively hunting down illegal vendors.
Store Closures and Health Minister Concerns
State and territory agencies hold the responsibility for deciding whether to close service stations under local legislation. According to 7NEWS, authorities ordered at least four Sydney service stations operated by Metro to shut down, including the Ingleburn branch, which received a 90-day closure notice under New South Wales laws. South Australia’s Department of Consumer and Business Services ordered a Metro outlet at Blair Athol in Adelaide to close for 28 days, as reported by 7NEWS. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park told 7NEWS that state health officials had been working on the issue for six to seven months and noted that significant price differences between legal and illegal products fuel the trade. No criminal charges have been laid yet, and the operation remains active while agencies assess gathered materials.
Did you know?
The Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group was established in October of last year as a whole-of-government capability model led by the Australian Border Force to target mid-level criminals and enablers in the black-market tobacco trade.
Metro Petroleum Responds to Allegations
Metro Petroleum issued a statement acknowledging police attendance at some stations and stated it welcomes the investigation. The company strongly denied any involvement in selling illegal tobacco, and owners are not accused of any wrongdoing. Metro declared a zero-tolerance approach to illicit tobacco and vaping products, rejecting any suggestion that it knew of, permitted, profited from, or participated in any supply chain for illegal tobacco. The company confirmed it will cooperate fully with the Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police, NSW Police, and all other involved agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Operation Shorthand?
Operation Shorthand was a coordinated, multi-agency law enforcement crackdown on 11 August targeting the alleged sale of illicit tobacco and vapes across more than 100 service stations in six Australian states and territories, according to the Australian Border Force.
Which brand of service stations was targeted?
Federal Assistant Minister Julian Hill confirmed that Metro Petroleum service stations were the sole brand targeted during the national raids.
Have any charges been laid against Metro Petroleum?
No charges have been laid, and Metro Petroleum owners are not accused of any wrongdoing, while the company has strongly denied any involvement in the illicit tobacco trade.
Who led the multi-agency raids?
The raids were led by the Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group, which operates under the Australian Border Force, alongside 15 federal, state, and territory agencies.
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