Two vape stores targeted by fire bugs could have links to organised crime according to detective

Police investigating fires at two tobacco shops within an hour on the Gold Coast will almost certainly probe organised crime groups sending a message to legit traders. Find out why

Police say organised crime sending a “warning” will be probed as one potential motive for alleged arson attacks on a pair of Gold Coast tobbaconists.
Police cannot rule out links between two fires which completely destroyed an Ashmore store and badly damaged another business in Burleigh Heads in the early hours of Wednesday.

Emergency services on scene as shops are destroyed by an early morning fire at Ashmore Plaza. Pics Adam Head

“The same type of establishment, targeted on the same morning and a very short time frame between them would certainly be cause for further interrogation” a top Coast detective said on Wednesday.

“You would be escalating organised crime and illegal vape and tobacco syndicates to the top of the list of suspects in a case like this,” the officer said.

“I wouldn’t be ruling out the possibility of these events being interpreted as a warning or an attempt to try and scare very legitimate businesses out of the market. The margin on these products is healthy and helps fuel other activity’s for criminal enterprise”.

A Burleigh Heads tobacconist was badly damaged by fire after a bin was set alight next to the stores entrance.

Around 3am authorities were called to a blaze at a vape store in Burleigh Heads’ James St where a bin was deliberately set on fire next to the shopfront and spread to the outside of the building.

A short time later, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services were called to Ashmore Plaza at 3.53am after a fire broke out inside a clothing store next to the Ashmore Tobacconist.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) are looking into the possibility of an organised attack on the respective outlets.

It is the third suspicious fire this year at a Gold Coast tobacconist.

In January, three men allegedly used bats to smash their way into a Helensvale business, once inside they covered the store with petrol and set it alight.

A 19-year-old Inala man was arrested by police and charged with wilful damage and arson.

The Tobacco Shed at Helensvale was allegedly targeted in January. Picture: Supplied

Following the fires on Wednesday, there have now been more than 31 tobacco stores burnt down in similar circumstances across the country in the previous 12 months, more than two per month.

It is believed to be part of an escalating turf war between organised crime gangs.

In August the Gold Coast Joint Organised Crime Team, cracked open a multimillion-dollar illegal tobacco syndicate operating across the state’s southeast and northern NSW.

More than 2.8 million cigarettes, 380 kilos of loose leaf tobacco and millions of dollars in illegal nicotine products were seized across 11 properties as part of operation Harvesthome. The haul was biggest bust by law enforcement agencies in recent years, seizing more than $9m in products.

Queensland fireys called to suspicious fire at Ashmore Plaza Shopping Plaza. Several businesses were damaged including Ashmore Seafood and Takeaway, Ashmore Loan Office which were completely destroyed.

A Gold Coast police spokesman said a man was seen near the Ashmore business on Cotlew Street at the time of the blaze.

It is believed it took at least five fire crews up to an hour to extinguish the fire as it spread to neighbouring businesses.

Fire crews were able to get the situation under control at around 4.50am and were starting to assess impacts of the damage at around 8am.

Several businesses were damaged, including Ashmore Seafood and Takeaway and the Ashmore Loan Office which were completely destroyed.

Queensland fireys called to suspicious fire at Ashmore Shopping Plaza. Several businesses were damaged including Ashmore Seafood and Takeaway, Ashmore Loan Office which were completely destroyed.

The entire Ashmore Plaza which included more than a dozen businesses, was shut down as staff started to arrive on Wednesday and were not able to enter.

Owners from the fish and chip store were visibly distraught when arriving for work.

Sue McEllan, who works at a takeaway store in the complex, said she hoped the smoke had not damaged their shop.

“The firefighters told us the fire spread into the roof of the centre,” she said.

Fish and Chip store owner distraught after 'suspicious' blaze destroys their business

“It’s not very nice to know this could be deliberate, it has affected small business owners and people that work here.”

Detective Acting Inspector Adam Bennett says investigators were looking at whether the neighbouring vape store was the intended target.

“It appears that there may have been an attempted entry to the tobacconist and we believe the offender has gained access to the business next door,” he said.

“It is very serious and there has been grave consequences to the community because of the actions of this person.”

CCTV from a nearby restaurant captures a man wheeling a suitcase through the complex around the same time as the fire.

When asked about whether an accelerant was used, Mr Bennett said: “Considering how quickly the fire evolved, that is obviously part of our investigation.”

Police are also investigating whether a car fire in the neighbouring suburb of Molendinar is linked to the incident.

Firefighters were called to the industrial complex on Kamholtz Court about half an hour after the clothing store was set alight. A Ute was fully engulfed by fire.

Police are urging anyone who may have seen the man or has dashcam footage from Cotlew Street at the time to call 131 444.

Queensland fireys called to suspicious fire at Ashmore Shopping Plaza. Several businesses were damaged including Ashmore Seafood and Takeaway, Ashmore Loan Office which were completely destroyed.

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