Nine stores have been ordered to close after more than 100 Metro Petroleum-branded service stations across the country were raided in a massive crackdown targeting the sale of illegal tobacco.
Monday’s nationwide raids followed an investigation into alleged links between individual stations, criminal syndicates, and the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes.
While Metro Petroleum supplies the fuel for its servos, each store is run by an independent operator.
On Tuesday night, the company said it was “extremely disappointed” to learn nine stores had been issued with closure orders.
“Metro Petroleum can confirm that it has taken immediate steps to terminate its arrangements with these operators,” it said, in a statement.
“Metro Petroleum is a petroleum brand and fuel supplier. We do not operate, staff or manage the retail businesses conducted at Metro Petroleum branded sites.
“Those businesses are run by independent operators, who are responsible for complying with all laws relating to what is sold at their sites. Metro Petroleum receives no share of non-fuel sales.”
The company is a major sponsor of the Sydney Roosters and is owned by Sydney-based founders John and George Dib, who are not accused of any wrongdoing.
Metro said it would fully cooperate with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Border Force in their probe into the alleged supply and distribution of illegal tobacco across stations in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia.
In an earlier statement, the company said it had a “zero-tolerance approach to the sale of illicit tobacco and vaping products”.
“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 fuel retailer said.
“There is no basis for any such suggestion.
“As the report itself records, no employee has been arrested or is alleged to be involved in illegal activity.”
AFP Crime Command Superintendent Jim Rowe said police had seen organised crime use the sale of illicit tobacco to fund further criminal activity.
“The intelligence we have suggests the sale of illicit tobacco through the targeted service stations is something that is organised, sophisticated, and resilient,” Rowe said.
In Australia, 80 per cent of tobacco consumed is now bought on the black market, and smoking rates remain static.
The operation remains ongoing as the Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group and partner agencies review evidence seized during the raids.
The AFP said the raids involved 250 officers from 15 federal and state agencies.
Extracted in full from: https://www.nine.com.au/australia-news/illegal-tobacco-raids-independent-service-stations-20260811-p60nex.html
