POLICE have made more than 80 arrests in the first year of a taskforce deployed to crack down on Victoria’s illegal tobacco war.
That included two arrests made over an alleged arson attack on a Cohuna tobacconist in July, which resulted in a $1 million damage bill.
Established in October 2023, Taskforce Lunar targets organised crime syndicates and their involvement in the illicit tobacco trade in Victoria.
Victoria Police said while illicit tobacco doesn’t generally sit within state law enforcement responsibility, the increased prevalence of serious and organised crime, including arson, extortion and firearms-related violence “necessitated it being a top priority”.
Since its inception, the taskforce has arrested 82 people, and laid charges including extortion, arson, firearms offences and aggravated burglary.
Detectives, along with the assistance of other state, territory and national partners have executed more than 200 search warrants of tobacco stores suspected of selling illicit tobacco and vapes.
These warrants have resulted in the seizure of cash, illicit tobacco and vapes with the total value in excess of $37 million, as well 19 firearms, including seven handguns.
Since October 2023, there have been 105 arson attacks at, or linked to, tobacco stores around the state.
The force said Taskforce Lunar detectives have, and continue to, engage directly with tobacco shops and landlords in a bid to reduce the risk of arson and extortion, which not only impact the tobacco stores but neighbouring businesses.
“Whilst the majority of these fires have resulted in no injuries, they are often targeted to shops in residential areas or part of residential buildings,” Victoria Police said in a statement.
“The taskforce also works with regional police to target serious and organised crime linked to the illicit tobacco and vape trade in regional areas of Victoria.
“Victoria Police has identified a number of organised crime syndicates, including state, national and global organise crime syndicates involved in the illicit tobacco conflict.
“These syndicates are comprised of personnel from Middle Eastern Organised Crime groups and Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, who are then engaging local networked youth, and youth gangs to carry out the offending.
“Investigators continue to appeal to anyone, especially store owners and staff, who has information about these incidents and who is responsible to come forward.”
Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly said that organised crime syndicates and their serious and organised crime offending, linked to the infiltration of the tobacco industry, remains a top priority of Victoria Police.
“Over the last year, we have seen a significant amount of work done by our Lunar Taskforce detectives and intelligence practitioners to identify these networks, disrupt their criminal activities and make a high number of arrests and seizures,” he said.
“However, as arson attacks continue, both in Victoria and interstate, we remain concerned over the safety of the broader community.
“The likelihood of serious injury or death occurring is both a real possibility and concerning.
“We will continue to target these serious and organised crime networks and work with industry, government agencies at the local, state and national level to reduce the risk of harm to the community.”
Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
