Detectives from Logan Major Organised Crime Squad (MOCS) have closed an operation following investigations into recent offences of violence, including extortions, arson and the unlawful discharge of weapons, in relation to illicit tobacconists throughout the Logan District resulting in the arrests five people.
Operation Yankee Ashen closed yesterday after search warrants were executed at addresses in Woodridge, Kingston, Logan Reserve, Stretton, Cornubia and South Brisbane with support from Taskforce Masher, Logan Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), Logan Tactical Crime Squad (TCS) and Queensland Health.
The protracted investigation resulted in the seizure almost $500,000 worth of illicit vapes, $100,000 worth of illegal tobacco, approximately $120,000 in Australian currency suspected of being the proceeds of nicotine vaping products and 90-day closure notices issued to a number of stores.
The operation also targeted organised crime syndicates, including the Comancheros OMCG, suspected of being involved in recent offences of violence, including robberies extortions, arson and the unlawful discharge of weapons, of illicit tobacconists throughout the Logan District.
A 37-year-old Boronia Heights man was charged with one count of tainted property and is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on 28 October.
A 31-year-old Stretton woman was charged with two counts of possessing dangerous drugs and one count of tainted property. She is due to appear in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on 10 November.
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. He is due to appear in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on 18 November.
A 27-year-old Algester man was charged with four counts of possess tainted property. He is due to appear in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on 4 November.
A 28-year-old Kingston man was charged with one count of contravene order about device information from a digital device. He is due to appear in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on 16 November.
Detective Superintendent Troy Pukallus, Officer in Charge of the Organised Crime Gangs Group, said the Queensland Police Service remains committed to targeting serious organised crime and offending that impacts 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,” Detective Superintendent Pukallus said.
“Our specialist investigators continue to monitor these groups, identify emerging threats and take action to disrupt criminal activity.
“We will continue to focus on those responsible for arson, attempted arson attacks and related offending targeting tobacco stores across Queensland.”
Taskforce Masher was established to target organised crime syndicates involved in the coordination of offences of violence and property damage across Queensland, with the aim to disrupt and suppress this offending and identify the members of those organised crime syndicates.
The joint initiative involves the Crime Command working side by side with police regions across the state to investigate, disrupt and prevent these offences.
Since January 2025 Queensland has experienced a total of 39 arson attacks targeting tobacconist businesses, including eight in the last six months.
At least 14 of those arson attacks have been solved by detectives within Taskforce Masher together with our regional investigative counterparts.
Police work closely with policing counterparts nationally and federally, as well as other government agencies including Queensland Health and the Therapeutic Goods Association, who are the lead agencies in respect to the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes in Queensland, including investigations targeting the sale of these products.
