Australian authorities raid over 100 service stations in illicit tobacco probe

Law enforcement agencies targeted Metro Petroleum locations across six states and territories as part of a nationwide investigation into alleged illicit tobacco and vape sales.

More than 100 service stations across Australia have been raided as part of a large-scale operation targeting the alleged sale and distribution of illicit tobacco and vaping products.

The coordinated enforcement action was carried out on August 11 across Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. As reported by 7News, around 250 law enforcement and regulatory officers from 15 agencies participated in the operation.

The raids focused on Metro Petroleum service stations following intelligence that allegedly linked some locations to criminal activity involving illicit tobacco and vape sales. The Australian Border Force (ABF) leads the investigation alongside the Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group.

The operation follows months of investigative work. New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park said state health officials had been collaborating with other agencies on the issue for the past six to seven months. He confirmed that Metro Petroleum was a key focus of the investigation in NSW and that illicit tobacco was allegedly discovered at multiple locations during the raids.

Authorities have pointed to the significant price gap between legal and illegal tobacco products as a factor driving demand in the black market. According to Park, legal tobacco products can cost three to four times more than illicit alternatives.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to examine potential links between retail outlets, supply chains and organized criminal activity connected to the illicit tobacco trade.