More than 100 service stations across Australia have been raided simultaneously in a major crackdown on illicit tobacco and vapes.

The operation, titled SHORTHAND, was carried out across six states and territories on Tuesday morning following intelligence identifying alleged links between service stations, suspected criminal activity and the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes.

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Metro Petroleum service stations across Queensland, NSW, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia were targeted, with about 250 law enforcement and regulatory officers from 15 agencies involved, said the Australian Border Force (ABF), which is leading SHORTHAND alongside the Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) Superintendent Crime Command Jim Rowe said intelligence suggested the sale of illicit tobacco through the targeted service stations was “organised, sophisticated and resilient”.

“The aim of today’s enforcement activity for the AFP is to obtain information to help us identify the potential importation of illicit tobacco, distribution networks and how the proceeds of sales are collected and then distributed,” he said. 

The operation was carried out across six states and territories on Tuesday morning. Credit: ABF

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park confirmed state health officials were involved in the operation and had been working collectively on the issue for the past six to seven months.

He told 7NEWS Metro Petroleum was a focus of the investigation, with dozens of its stores targeted across NSW and illicit tobacco allegedly uncovered during the raids.

Park said the significant price difference between legal and illicit tobacco was helping fuel the illegal trade, with legal products costing as much as three to four times more.

“It’s very concerning that clearly there has been a change in the way criminals have decided to distribute illegal tobacco and now they are using service stations and petroleum stations to do that,” Park said.

“There is simply too big of a price point difference between the legal product and the illegal product.

“My concern is multifaceted. Firstly, it’s not fair on legitimate small business owners doing the right thing. But it’s also concerning that we don’t want to see another generation of people hooked on a product like nicotine.”

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said dozens of Metro stores were targeted across the state. Credit: 7NEWS

Park said some service stations would be shut down immediately following Tuesday’s raids, while authorities would take a more cautious approach to closures in regional areas where communities could rely on the sites for fuel supplies.

ABF said the operation remained active, with agencies continuing to assess material and information gathered during the raids.

“Decisions regarding the temporary closure of service stations identified as selling illicit tobacco and vapes are the responsibility of the relevant state or territory agency and are exercised in accordance with that agency’s legislative powers and authorities,” the statement said. 

“In determining any closure action, agencies carefully considered a range of operational and community factors, including the location of the premises and the availability of fuel and essential services for local consumers.”

No Metro Petroleum employees were arrested.

More than 100 service stations across Australia have been raided in a major illicit tobacco crackdown. Credit: ABF

Metro Petroleum confirmed it was aware of ABF and other agencies attending a number of Metro-branded sites across the country and said it welcomed the operation.

“Metro will cooperate fully with the Australian Border Force, the Australian Federal Police, NSW Police and every other agency involved, and with any investigation or government-led initiative directed at removing the illicit tobacco trade or any operator said to be breaking the law,” the company said in a statement. 

“Metro has a zero-tolerance approach to the sale of illicit tobacco and vaping products.

The company rejected any suggestion it was involved in the illicit tobacco trade.

“Metro rejects, without qualification, any suggestion that it knew of, permitted, profited from, or was in any way involved in the sale of illicit tobacco or in any supply chain for illicit tobacco,” the statement continued. 

About 250 law enforcement and regulatory officers from 15 agencies were involved. Credit: ABF

Metro Petroleum is one of Australia’s largest independent service station operators, serving tens of thousands of private and commercial customers.

The company is also a major sponsor of NRL club the Sydney Roosters.

ABF assistant commissioner Tony Smith said agencies across the country were working together to disrupt the illicit tobacco trade.

“Collectively, we are all on the heels of those importing, distributing and selling illicit tobacco and vapes, disrupting activities at every opportunity,” he said. 

“Regardless of how these groups evolve, a nationally coordinated group of agencies will continue to work hard to address the challenges associated with illicit tobacco.”