Names, locations of every Queensland shop caught selling illegal tobacco

A Courier-Mail investigation can reveal the locations and names of more than 360 shops caught selling illegal tobacco in the past year. SEE THE MAP

Police investigate after a tobacconist was torched in Logan earlier this year. Picture: Annette Dew

At least one Queensland tobacconist a day is caught selling illegal products as experts raise alarm bells over concerns that organised crime syndicates have taken over the industry.

A Courier-Mail investigation has revealed 367 shops have been caught selling illegal cigarettes, vapes or tobacco pouches from May 2024 to May 2025, meaning an average of more than one tobacconist each day was busted selling illegal products.

The damning data, which was collected in police intelligence reports and undertaken by undercover agents, reveals Surfers Paradise is the state’s illicit tobacco capital.

The region, which had an astounding 29 retailers, was followed by Fortitude Valley with 14 and West End with 8.

It comes after The Courier-Mail revealed transnational and interstate criminal syndicates are standing over Queensland tobacconists, forcing them to pay “protection”, close up, or sell illicit cigarettes against the threat of having their shops burnt down.

Australian Association of Convenience Stores chief executive Theo Foukkare said the group had been warning the governments for years about illegal tobacco and illegal vape trade, which started in Victoria would spread to other states.

”Unfortunately, the proceeds from both illegal tobacco and vapes, that goes back to whichever groups are running it actually is used to fund drugs that they sell to children,” he said.

“It’s used to import weapons and use them that are used in crimes in the community, like it’s all linked together.

“That’s the most disheartening thing that most people that are buying these illegal products, they don’t actually understand that by supporting these illegal products, you’re actually supporting people that are creating havoc in the communities.

He said increasingly more businesses were starting to sell illicit substances.

“If we think that we’re not going to see fire, more firebombs, more violent attacks and more RAM raids of these illegal stores in Queensland we’re kidding ourselves,” he said.

“Because they started in Melbourne. They’re now happening in South Australia. They’re happening everywhere.”

A Stretton tobacconist was torched in September last year.

One industry expert, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the proliferation of illicit tobacco and nicotine products being sold in retail outlets is a deeply concerning and growing trend.

“The black market is thriving,” he said.

“The sale of these illicit goods is not only fuelling organised crime but also undermining legitimate businesses, exposing consumers to serious health risks and eroding community safety.

“The reality is stark. Governments and regulators no longer control this market. Organised crime does.”

CCTV footage captures the firebombing of a South East Queensland tobacco shop. Picture Supplied

Detective Acting Inspector Adam Bennett said the crime involved in tobacco shops was concerning.

“Organised crime is quite complex. It’s resilient and it’s enduring,” he said.

“So we need to take a different approach and a targeted approach, but also a national and a joint cognitive approach too

“So that’s where Task Force Masher comes in. They co-ordinate, and they’ve got specialist detectives in that space to look at that field.”

More than 121 interim closure orders have been issued across the state since September 2024 when the powers came in.

Illicit tobacco and vape products seized by Queensland authorities.

Between July 1 2024 and May 31 2025, 940 penalty infringement notices have been issued for supply and possession of illicit products with a value of more than $17.6 million.

A Queensland Health spokesman said they take a zero-tolerance approach to the supply of illegal vaping and tobacco products.

“Queensland Health’s public health enforcement officers, in conjunction with local and federal authorities, are increasingly cracking down on the supply and possession of illicit tobacco and vaping products backed by strict laws,” he said.

“They are doing this to combat the black-market trade, often linked to organised crime, and ultimately protecting public health.”

Originally published as Names, locations of every Queensland shop caught selling illegal tobacco