Shops across Brisbane and Logan have been ordered shut and almost $600,000 in illicit tobacco and vapes seized as Logan police target crime syndicates suspected of arson, extortion and gunfire.
Police said the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gang was among the targets of Operation Yankee Ashen, which ended on Wednesday 7 October.
Five people were charged after searches across Logan and Brisbane.
North Road Tobacconist at Woodridge is believed to be among the shops issued with a 90-day closure order.
Across the sites investigated, police reported seizing almost $500,000 in illicit vapes, $100,000 in illegal tobacco and approximately $120,000 cash suspected of being proceeds from vape sales.
Organised Crime Gangs Group officer in charge Detective Superintendent Troy Pukallus said the focus was on offending that threatened community safety.
“We know organised criminal networks are often linked to serious offences that cause significant harm to the community, including arson attacks and related violence,” he said.
“Our specialist investigators continue to monitor these groups, identify emerging threats and take action to disrupt criminal activity.”
Searches were carried out at addresses at Woodridge, Kingston, Logan Reserve, Stretton, Cornubia and South Brisbane, with support from specialist police and Queensland Health.
A Queensland Health spokesperson said: “As part of Operation Yankee Ashen, Queensland Health executed search warrants at three premises in Woodridge suspected of possessing or supplying illicit tobacco and vapes.
“The work we are doing alongside partner agencies has prevented millions of illicit products from hitting our streets,” the spokesperson said.
“We know there is plenty of work still to be done but we can see our hardline approach is having a significant impact on the illicit supply chain in Queensland.”
A 37-year-old Boronia Heights man was charged with one count of tainted property.
A 31-year-old Stretton woman was charged with two counts of possessing dangerous drugs and one count of tainted property.
A 38-year-old Cornubia man was charged with three counts of possess tainted property, and one count each of possessing dangerous drugs, contravene order about device information from digital device, possess tainted property, and offence to buy or possess S4 or S8 medicines.
A 27-year-old Algester man was charged with four counts of possess tainted property.
A 28-year-old Kingston man was charged with one count of contravene order about device information from a digital device.
They are due to appear in Brisbane and Beenleigh magistrates courts between 28 October and 18 November.
Queensland Police have investigated 39 arson attacks on Queensland tobacconists since January 2025, including eight in the past six months.
In Logan, the community showed support for P&J’s Snacks takeaway shop at Rochedale South, which was burned after arson on 26 September.
Rochedale Tigers rugby leagues club at Underwood Park offered the business the use of its commercial kitchen to trade on Friday and Saturday nights and it was so busy walk-in orders had to be closed.
Another business destroyed by fire in a similar incident on 30 July, Reef Underground, is preparing to reopen at a new site at Springwood, with friends and customers helping to relocate stock.
Police said at least 14 tobacconist-related arson attacks had been solved by Taskforce Masher detectives and regional investigators.
“We will continue to focus on those responsible for arson, attempted arson attacks and related offending targeting tobacco stores across Queensland,” Detective Superintendent Pukallus said.
Logan has featured in earlier operations involving alleged Comanchero activity.
In February 2025, police said Operation Whiskey Rebound included searches at Yarrabilba and Springwood and resulted in 15 people facing 54 charges across the southeast.
Acting Detective Superintendent Craig Bowman said police intelligence indicated “both current and former Comanchero members had been actively recruiting members” for a new gang, the 50 Street Crew.
A separate operation targeting the Comancheros across Australia and New Zealand on 5 March this year resulted in 56 arrests and 168 charges, according to a Western Australia Police statement.
Investigators seized drugs, firearms and cash.
The closure of Yankee Ashen was followed a day later by a separate crackdown on the Lone Wolf outlaw motorcycle gang across Australia and New Zealand.
Taskforce Morpheus, operating under Queensland police leadership, carried out the 8 October action, which resulted in 20 arrests and 69 charges, according to a joint statement issued the following day.
Police executed 18 search warrants and seized cocaine, MDMA, illicit tobacco and vapes.
The joint statement does not identify any Logan raids or establish a connection to Yankee Ashen.
“Organised crime groups such as the Lone Wolf OMCG continue to place profits ahead of public safety, exploiting communities through sophisticated criminal enterprises,” Detective Superintendent Pukallus said in that statement.
Australian Border Force customs enforcement commander Graeme Campbell said the illicit tobacco trade helped finance organised crime.
“The illicit tobacco trade is a significant source of revenue for organised crime groups,” he said in the joint statement.
“With proven links between OMCG’s and illicit tobacco retail premises across Australia, profits are used to fund other serious criminal activity.”
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