Interview with Assistant Commissioner Customs Compliance and Enforcement Tony Smith can be downloaded here and audio downloaded here
Interview with AFP Superintendent Crime Command Jim Rowe can be downloaded here
Vision of the operation can be downloaded here
The Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group (NDG) has today (11 August 2026) coordinated a large-scale, multi-jurisdictional operation across Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, targeting the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes.
Titled Operation SHORTHAND, more than 100 service stations were simultaneously targeted with Commonwealth, State and Territory partner agencies across six jurisdictions, and involved the coordinated deployment of approximately 250 law enforcement and regulatory officers from 15 agencies.
Operation SHORTHAND was established following an intelligence referral into the NDG by the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, identifying alleged links between the service stations, suspected criminal activity and the alleged sale of illicit tobacco and vapes.
The operation remains active, with the NDG and partner agencies continuing to assess materials and information gathered during enforcement activities.
