Gold Coast crime: Teen charged over chemist break-in, as police reveal main reasons behind pharmacy burglaries

It’s the stunning number of crimes in the past few months which has Gold Coast police on high alert. FIND OUT THE DETAILS

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THE number of pharmacy break-ins across the Gold Coast has risen in recent months as thieves hunt prescription pills and drugs to cook methamphetamine.

A teenager was last week charged in relation to a recent spate of chemist break-ins.

But police say it’s not a crime exclusive to children, with thieves long been known to score over-the-counter drugs for methamphetamine (ice) production.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has slammed the break-ins at Gold Coast chemists, saying the industry is already under pressure by being on the frontline of the fight against COVID-19.

Gold Coast Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn said chemists were targeted mainly for two reasons.

“(Thieves) are either targeting sedative-based prescription drugs or drugs with pseudoephedrine … contained in them that they can use to manufacture methamphetamine,” Insp Ahearn said.

“It’s not a new issue … but certainly within these last several months we have seen a spike in chemists being targeted for these types of drugs.”

Police say thieves target chemists for prescription drugs.

On March 24, two chemists and a convenience store were targeted in an early morning blitz.

Thieves failed to get into a West Burleigh Road chemist, but later a Bundall pharmacy had its front glass doors smashed and medication stolen.

A 14-year-old boy was charged with enter premises and commit indictable offence by break, while a 17-year-old has been charged with receiving tainted property. Investigations are ongoing.

Less than a fortnight earlier, another two chemists were raided by thieves in a stolen car.

Insp Ahearn said chemist break-ins were not exclusive to children.

“Historically, it’s generally been older people who have been involved in the production of methamphetamine,” he said.

“We don’t have evidence to indicate there’s an issue with juveniles doing that sort of thing. I’d say it’s more they are targeting the … sedative prescription drugs.”

Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn of the Gold Coast District. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

He downplayed the spike saying thieves often do a “run” and “will try to target a few premises in the one night”.

“We’re not seeing any links to some increase in demand for methamphetamine production or indeed a prescription drug market. It’s just the vagaries of crime.”

Chris Owen, the acting president of the Queensland branch of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, said: “Pharmacists and pharmacy assistants are working hard for the local Gold Coast community and are already under pressure.

“The majority of community pharmacies on the Gold Coast are locally owned small businesses that have been on the frontline of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic supporting patients.

“These break-ins impact their ability to provide care and support to the Gold Coast community.

“The break-ins also mean a disruption to trade and impact people’s livelihood.”

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Originally published as Gold Coast crime: Teen charged over chemist break-in, as police reveal main reasons behind pharmacy burglaries