Four service stations in Canberra have been raided by the Australian Border Force (ABF) as part of a major crackdown on the illegal sale of tobacco and vapes, resulting in the seizure of more than 15,000 illicit cigarettes.
The nationwide blitz followed intelligence indicating suspected criminal syndicates were supplying illicit tobacco and vaping products through select service station franchises.
In the ACT, officers raided Metro Petroleum outlets in Phillip, Scullin, Mitchell, and Farrer. Operations across the capital's north and south uncovered 15,584 illicit cigarettes, 451 vapes, 480 nicotine pouches, and 150 grams of loose-leaf tobacco.
On August 11, ABF officers leading the illicit tobacco national disruption group, supported by state and territory officers, executed Operation SHORTHAND, simultaneously targeting 106 service stations across Australia.
Further regulatory action, including potential temporary closure orders for the offending sites, now rests with the ACT government.
Investigations into the Canberra seizures remain ongoing.
Nationally, raids spanned NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and the ACT. In total, authorities seized approximately 111,620 cigarettes, 15.2 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, 1440 vapes, 530 nicotine pouches, and one prohibited weapon, an ABF official statement said.
The ABF also confirmed 106 people of interest were identified during the operation, with 11 non-compliant retail locations temporarily shut down.
