Operation SHORTHAND sees hundreds of officers from 15 agencies target petrol stations across six Australian jurisdictions over suspected links to illegal tobacco, vaping products and organised crime
More than 100 service stations across Australia have been simultaneously raided as part of a major multi-agency operation targeting suspected criminal activity and the alleged sale of illicit tobacco and vaping products.
The Australian Border Force-led operation, known as Operation SHORTHAND, involved about 250 law enforcement and regulatory officers from 15 Commonwealth, state and territory agencies across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the ACT.
The operation remains active, with authorities assessing material and information gathered during the raids. Official results, including the full extent of any seizures or further enforcement action, are expected to be released later.
Criminal networks changing tactics
According to the Australian Border Force, the investigation followed intelligence provided to the Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group by the Australian Federal Police and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
Authorities allege there are links between some of the targeted service stations, suspected criminal activity and the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes.
ABF Assistant Commissioner Customs Compliance and Enforcement Tony Smith said criminal operators were increasingly moving away from traditional tobacconists and using convenience stores, milk bars and service stations to distribute illegal products.
The change in tactics, authorities say, reflects growing enforcement pressure across the illicit tobacco supply chain.
Organised crime link under investigation
Australian Federal Police intelligence indicates that profits from the illicit tobacco market can be used to finance other forms of serious and organised criminal activity.
Investigators are seeking information about how illegal tobacco may be imported into Australia, distributed to retailers and how proceeds from sales are collected and moved through criminal networks.
The ABF has significantly increased enforcement against illicit tobacco and vaping products. During the 2025-26 financial year, it reported seizing more than 2,300 tonnes of illicit tobacco and 13.2 million vaping products across offshore, border and domestic operations.
Petrol stations could be temporarily closed
Authorities have warned that some businesses targeted during Operation SHORTHAND could face temporary closure, depending on evidence collected and action taken by relevant state regulators.
The raids also involve agencies responsible for health, taxation, policing and financial intelligence, reflecting the increasingly complex nature of the illegal tobacco trade.
Previous coordinated operations have already resulted in millions of illegal cigarettes, large quantities of loose-leaf tobacco and thousands of vaping devices being seized around Australia.
NSW joins national crackdown
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said state authorities were working closely with federal enforcement agencies and sharing intelligence on businesses suspected of breaking the law.
The government argues that the illegal market damages legitimate retailers while exposing communities, particularly young people, to prohibited products.
Operation SHORTHAND represents one of the largest coordinated actions yet against the changing retail face of Australia’s black-market tobacco industry.
For authorities, the message is that enforcement is no longer focused only on specialist tobacco stores: convenience shops and service stations suspected of participating in the illegal supply chain are now firmly in the spotlight.
Source: Australian Border Force – Operation SHORTHAND:
Meta description: More than 100 Australian service stations have been raided under Operation SHORTHAND as authorities investigate alleged illicit tobacco and vape sales and possible links to organised crime.
