Another arrest has been made amid a series of suspicious fires across Melbourne linked to the illicit tobacco dispute.
A 25-year-old Epping man was arrested in Bundoora just after 3pm on Tuesday, January 30.
Detectives believe the man was responsible for commissioning a number of arson attacks on businesses last year, including a fire at a smash repair business in Williamstown North on October 5, a fire at a tobacco store in Glenroy on October 9, two fires at the same Docklands restaurant on November 18 and 20, a fire at a reception centre in Tullamarine on December 8, and a fire at a separate Docklands restaurant on December 8.
Since October, there have been almost 70 warrants at tobacco stores across the state believed to be involved in the sale of illicit tobacco, resulting in the seizure of 108,722 e-cigarettes (vapes) with a street valuation of $3.2 million, 3,205,298 cigarettes with duty excise evaded totalling $3.9 million, more than one of tonne loose-leaf tobacco with duty excise totalling evaded $1.9M, at least 2 kilograms of cannabis, at least one kilogram of cocaine, almost $100,000 proceeds of crime, multiple weapons including ASP batons and swords, and industrial tobacco manufacturing equipment.
Taskforce Lunar investigators believe the current situation is as a result of criminal syndicates in conflict due to competition for profit derived from the illicit tobacco market.
Lunar Taskforce’s Detective Inspector Graham Banks said the arrest was important to the ongoing investigations.
“Today’s (January 30) arrest is a significant one for us as it directly relates to the commissioning of a number of suspicious fires across Melbourne,” he said.
Police believe the syndicates are personnel from Middle Eastern Organised Crime groups and Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, who are then engaging local networked youth, street gangs and other low-level criminals to carry out the offending.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
