Seven independent petrol stations in Sydney’s west and two in the Lake Macquarie region have been closed by NSW Health in the wake of raids on Metro Petroleum stores, but despite concerns of a rising fuel prices locals have welcomed the crackdown on illicit tobacco.
The full list of Metro Petroleum service stations issued closure orders by NSW Health during Tuesday’s raids can be revealed, and includes suburban servos on Richmond Rd at Blacktown, Addison Rd at Marrickville, Milperra Rd at Revesby West, Hill End Rd at Doonside, Hoxton Park Rd at Hoxton Park, Cumberland Rd at Ingleburn and Atchison Rd at Macquarie Fields.
Two stores in the Lake Macquarie region on Dora St at Morriset and Wyee Rd at Wyee were also visited amid the Operation Shorthand raids, involving the Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police, NSW Health, NSW Police and other law enforcement agencies.
But despite Metro petrol stations often being the cheapest in their area, residents impacted by the closures have welcomed the action by authorities.
Drivers planning to fill up at the Metro Petroleum service station on Addison Rd in Marrickville on Wednesday were met with four yellow posters on the building’s doors pointing to an immediate closure order for 90 days, through until November 8.
Julia and Lewis Tsalis have lived off Addison Rd for two decades and said they have noticed illegal tobacco “popping up”.
“These places [illegal cigarette vendors] are just popping up all over the place, and it’s not been controlled,” Ms Tsalis said.
“Why is it not being restricted? Something that’s illegal and not good for people and it’s just kind of run rife,” she questioned.
Ms Tsalis was supportive of the raids: “I’m glad to see that something has been done”.
“I just think it’s completely out of control,” she said.
No Metro Petroleum employees were arrested as part of Tuesday’s raids or are alleged to be involved in illegal activity, with officers seizing paperwork and devices to be examined by forensic accountants.
The fuel chain is the largest independent in Australia and is known for having significantly discounted fuel.
The company is owned by Sydney’s Dib family, having been founded by brothers George Snr and John Dib, neither of who are accused of any wrongdoing.
LIST OF CLOSED PETROL STATIONS
Metro Blacktown – 69 Richmond Road
Metro Marrickville – 99 Addison Street Road
Metro Revesby West – 10 Milperra Road
Metro Doonside – 198 Hill End Road
Metro Morriset – 57 Dora St
Metro Wyee – 147 Wyee Road
Metro Petroleum Hoxton Park, 98 Hoxton Park Road
Metro Petroleum – Ingleburn – 23 Cumberland Road
Macquarie Fields – 2 Atchison Road
Inner west residents say they’re prepared to miss out on cheap petrol following the closure of servos operated by independent chain Metro Petroleum if it means a crackdown on illegal tobacco.
Seven Metro stations in Sydney’s west and two in the Lake Macquarie region were closed by NSW Health after raids on Tuesday in the government’s tough stance on the sale of black market cigarettes and vapes.
The service stations at Blacktown, Marrickville, Revesby West, Doonside, Hoxton Park, Ingleburn and Macquarie Fields and those in Morriset and Wyee in Lake Macquarie have been closed.
But despite Metro petrol often being the cheapest in their area, residents affected by the closures have welcomed the action.
Drivers planning to fill up at the Metro in Addison Rd, Marrickville yesterday were met with four yellow posters on the doors pointing to an immediate closure order for 90 days.
Paolo Balaj, who runs the Espresso Connect cafe across the road, said he was against the sale of illegal cigarettes and was glad to see action being taken.
“One hundred per cent. Those people, they don’t have to sell illegal things, you have to sell legal stuff and pay taxes like everyone else. That’s it,” Mr Balaj said.
“I hope they shut down forever because I, and we, pay taxes all the time, and these people, they sell illegal stuff, it’s dodgy.”
Addison Rd resident Julia Tsalis also supported the raids. “I’m glad to see that something has been done. I just think it’s completely out of control,” she said.
Australian Border Force conducted the raids, along with the AFP, NSW Police and NSW Health.
Extracted in full from: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/metro-petrol-station-raids-which-stations-are-closed-after-raids-concerns-about-fuel-price-rise/news-story/995c53b5d793824fca0fd4a874d2dde2
