A new taskforce comprised of a range of specialist investigators has been set up to target organised crime groups and their current involvement in the illicit tobacco trade in Victoria.
Taskforce Lunar will look at a broad range of criminality tied to an ongoing dispute between organised crime groups.
This includes the recent series of incidents, predominantly arson attacks, targeting tobacco stores across the state.
Police believe up to 29 fires are linked, with 28 of those occurring at tobacco stores.
On the majority of occasions, no one was present at the business when it was set on fire however almost all of the fires caused significant damage.
Luckily, no one was physically injured during the fires with the exception of several offenders who have set themselves alight.
A significant investigation into the six-month series is already underway, however Taskforce Lunar will formally draw on a range of specialised resources from the Gang Crime Squad, Arson and Explosives Squad, Echo Taskforce, VIPER Taskforce, Criminal Proceeds Squad and Financial Crime Squad.
The taskforce will also work closely with regional police, as well as a range of external agencies such as the ABF, Australian criminal Intelligence Commission, AFP and Australian Taxation office.
While illicit tobacco is not generally investigated by state law enforcement, the high level of risk presented by the associated offending such as arson attacks, extortions and firearms incidents has led to the formation of the Victoria Police taskforce.
At this time, 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.
This market has become increasingly attractive to organised crime syndicates due to the perception of lower penalties for offending, as well as the opportunity to make significant profit.
The current conflict includes both the physical placement of illicit tobacco into stores, as well as demands for stores to sell the syndicate's illicit product and to pay a 'tax' per week to operate.
This 'tax' is then directed to the organised crime syndicates involved in the conflict.
Police believe the syndicates are comprised of personnel from Middle Eastern Organised Crime groups and Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, who are then engaging local networked youth, street gangs and other low-level criminal to carry out the offending.
So far, 13 people have been arrested in relation to incidents linked to this series.
Other states have also experienced similar issues with the illicit tobacco market in recent years.
Police believe that somewhere between 800-1000 tobacco stores are currently operating in Victoria.
Over the past two months, police and ABF have conducted over 100 store visits in attempt to obtain further information about the current dispute and disrupt any future attacks.
Investigators continue to appeal to anyone, especially store owners and staff, who has information about these incidents and who is responsible to come forward.
Taskforce Lunar will coordinate a range of prevention and disruption strategies in partnership with local police and Federal agencies.
This includes proactive police patrols targeting potential victims of further offending and regular engagement with tobacco stores.
Anyone with information about these incidents or with further information about illicit tobacco is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly, Crime Command:
"The creation of Taskforce Lunar is in recognition of the threat that these organised crime syndicates and the offending linked to their dispute currently presents to the broader community.
"We know who the main players in these syndicates are, and police are doing everything we can to directly target those people in any way possible.
"This is everything from identifying those responsible for every single component of the offending we are seeing, through to putting them before the court and stripping them of their ill-gotten assets.
"The reality is, any tobacco shop across Victoria is currently at some risk of being targeted. We've also seen some stores repeatedly targeted.
"Where we have information about those threats, we will step in and act, however we need those in the industry along with members of the public, to be our eyes and ears.
"If you know something about these arson attacks and who is involved, or you witness any suspicious activity around tobacco stores then we urge you to come forward and tell police.
"It's people's lives that are at risk - not just their livelihood. This is inherently dangerous behaviour.
"I want to reassure those people who have received threats or who live in the vicinity of these businesses, that the investigation of these remain an absolute priority for Victoria Police. People deserve to feel safe.
"Finally, I have a message to those consumers buying illicit tobacco from stores - you are essentially funding organised crime. I urge you to think twice before doing this because it is this profit that is fuelling this dispute. We want to bring an end this any way possible and part of this is making it uncomfortable to stores to sell illicit product."
