A masked man entered a business on Wickham Street in Brisbane around 3am, allegedly assaulting the owner before the establishment caught fire. While there is no suggestion of wrongdoing by the business, authorities are investigating whether the incident is related to recent targeted attacks on tobacco stores in the area. The shop was boarded up the following morning, revealing extensive damage inside. The business had only been a tobacco store for a few weeks, and there have been reports of convenience stores in the CBD and surrounding suburbs selling illegally imported cigarettes under the counter at discounted prices.
According to Inspector Jane Healy, a number of tobacco stores have been targeted recently, prompting authorities to investigate a potential connection between these incidents. Many convenience stores in the area were found to be selling illegal cigarettes, including brands like Manchester, Double Happiness, ESSE, Marlboro Reds, and Winfield Blues. These cigarettes were being sold at prices significantly lower than legally taxed equivalents, with prices ranging from $17 to $25 per pack. A 12-week blitz in July resulted in the seizure of over 5.2 million cigarettes and 1.2 tonnes of loose tobacco from Queensland retailers, with organized crime believed to control a large portion of the market.
The business on Wickham Street, which had only recently become a tobacco store, experienced a violent incident when a masked individual entered the premises and allegedly assaulted the owner before setting the establishment on fire. While there is no evidence of wrongdoing by the business, authorities are looking into potential connections to other targeted attacks on tobacco stores in the area. Many convenience stores in Brisbane have been found selling illegally imported cigarettes at discounted prices, including popular brands like Manchester, Double Happiness, ESSE, Marlboro Reds, and Winfield Blues.
Inspector Jane Healy noted that the recent string of attacks on tobacco stores is under investigation, and authorities are exploring links between these incidents. The discovery of illegally imported cigarettes being sold at lower prices in convenience stores points to a larger issue of organized crime controlling a significant portion of the market. A 12-week blitz in July resulted in the seizure of millions of cigarettes and tonnes of loose tobacco from Queensland retailers. The prevalence of these illegal products raises concerns about the safety and integrity of the tobacco market in the area.
The incident at the business on Wickham Street serves as a reminder of the potential dangers faced by tobacco retailers, especially in light of recent targeted attacks in the area. The discovery of illegally imported cigarettes being sold in convenience stores highlights the presence of organized crime in the market. Authorities are working to address these issues and ensure the safety and compliance of tobacco retailers in Queensland. The impact of these illegal activities on the community and the risk they pose to public health underscore the need for continued vigilance and enforcement measures to protect consumers and legitimate businesses in the tobacco industry.
