Police treating tobacconist fire south of Brisbane as suspicious

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“We have had a number of tobacco stores targeted recently,” she said.

“We can’t confirm whether or not this is related, but that link is being investigated.”

Following the Fortitude Valley attack, Police Minister Dan Purdie announced dedicated resources to investigate and curb the growing issue.

“[The incidents are] certainly something that we don’t want to spread or escalate,” Purdie said in December.

“We’ve got assigned detectives in Queensland that are now focusing on potential criminal links to the illegal tobacco trade.

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“It’s a growing issue.”

The incidents come after Brisbane Times revealed in November many convenience stores in the CBD and surrounding suburbs were selling illegally imported cigarettes and vapes under the counter.

More than 5.2 million cigarettes and 1.2 tonnes of loose tobacco were seized from Queensland retailers over just 12 weeks from July.

About 8500 illegal vapes and 12,000 nicotine pouches were also found.

Organised crime is believed to control about 75 per cent of the market.

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At the end of 2024, at least 350 retail businesses across Queensland were under investigation by Queensland Health, which is responsible for enforcing tobacco regulations.

At least 13 businesses are being prosecuted in court.

Across Australia, about 1784 tonnes of tobacco – equivalent to about two billion cigarettes – was seized by border forces last financial year. It equates to roughly $3 billion in unpaid taxes.

Police did not suggest any wrongdoing or illegal activity by the operators of Uncle Billy’s Tobacconist, only treating the fire as suspicious.

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