Queensland Police have established a new taskforce dedicated to tackling increasing crimes involving tobacco and vape stores across the state.
Dubbed Victor Masher, police say the taskforce aims to “disrupt and suppress entrenched syndicates involved in the coordination of offences of violence across Queensland”.
It also aims to identify organised crime syndicates behind the illicit tobacco trade.
The creation of the dedicated taskforce follows an increase in theft, arson and wilful damage incidents targeting vape and tobacco stores on the Gold Coast, Brisbane and in Logan.
It comes as police continue to hunt for a second man involved in an attempted break-in at a tobacconist in Ormeau early on Wednesday morning.
Two men allegedly used implements to try and smash their way into the Arthur Way store around 3.10am, but were unsuccesful.
One of the suspects, a 29-year-old man, has since been arrested and charged with a string of offences.
He was denied bail and is due to front Southport Magistrates Court today.
