Police have arrested four men and a boy believed to be connected to the Finks outlaw motorcycle gang and a series of arson attacks on tobacco stores in Victoria.
The arrests are the latest example of police responding to the so-called tobacco wars, which have seen criminal gangs fight for control of the “significant source of income” generated by the sale of illicit tobacco.
Victoria police Det Insp Graham Banks acknowledged community concern about the attacks in recent weeks and said the force was “turning the corner” with new intelligence.
The arrests relate to the torching of four tobacco stores and a cafe between Christmas Day and Friday in Moe, Croydon, Altona, Altona North and Sunshine.
On each occasion, police allege the offenders broke into the stores before setting alight to them.
One store in Altona was targeted twice on Thursday and then again on Friday this week. The offenders allegedly smashed the front window before throwing jerry cans into the business and setting it alight. A burnt-out car remained at the shop.
“Those involved have a complete lack of regard for the harm they are inflicting on the community, and we think it’s only a matter of time before someone is killed or seriously hurt in these reckless incidents,” Banks said.
“Today’s arrests are testament to that – they are a strong demonstration of state and commonwealth agencies coming together to target the issue of illicit tobacco in every way possible.”
Police arrested a 41-year-old man believed to be a senior member of the Finks motorcycle gang in Werribee. He has been charged with seven counts of criminal damage and remanded in custody.
A 30-year-old Templestowe man and a 32-year-old Albion man, both believed to be patched members of the same gang, were also arrested and charged with criminal damage by fire. The Altona man has also been charged with aggravated carjacking.
A 37-year-old Point Cook man has been charged with five counts of arson and remanded. A 16-year-old from Yarraville was also arrested for the carjacking and arson offences, but was released after questioning pending further inquiries.
Banks said police found five vehicles believed to have been stolen when arresting the group, along with molotov cocktails.
“We believe they were preparing to do further attacks, so this is a substantial series of arrests,” Banks said. “This certainly impacts a syndicate that is driving this.
“There is still a significant conflict between multiple different groups over control of a significant source of income. It will be an ongoing issue for several months but we’re certainly turning the corner.
“We are gaining far more intelligence than we started off with three months ago. We’ve made significant arrests. But it’s not an issue that’s going to stop overnight.”
Police believe the criminal syndicates fighting for control of the illicit tobacco market include organised crime groups and outlaw motorcycle gangs, who engage younger street gangs and low-level criminals to carry out offending.
“It’s a highly concerning situation because some of them don’t necessarily understand the significance of what they’re doing,” Banks said. “They’re reckless in the way they do it.”
Taskforce Lunar, which is targeting the illicit tobacco trade, has 28 active arson investigations that include tobacco stores, vehicles, gyms, restaurants and private addresses.
Since October, police have searched almost 70 tobacco stores believed to be involved in the sale of illicit tobacco. More than 100,000 vapes with an estimated street value of $3.2m have been seized along with 3.2m cigarettes.
Police believe criminal gangs place the illicit tobacco in stores and demand the shops pay the gangs a tax each week to operate.
The arrests followed a joint investigation with Australian federal police, whose Det Insp Chris Salmon said criminal gangs would be held to account.
“The AFP works closely with Victoria police to disrupt organised crime, including outlaw motorcycle gangs to minimise the harm caused by their criminal ventures,” Salmon said.
