In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Melbourne’s southwest became the backdrop for yet another episode in the ongoing saga of illicit tobacco trade conflict.
The first incident unfolded at a tobacconist on Tarneit Rd in Werribee around 4 am. The assailants, reportedly wielding a car as their weapon of choice, forcibly breached the establishment’s defenses by ramming into the front security roller shutter.
Their brazen attempt to escalate the situation further by setting the store ablaze was fortunately thwarted. However, the perpetrators managed to elude capture, fleeing the scene on foot, leaving behind their vehicle as evidence.
Just one hour later, another business, Barakat International Goods, a Middle Eastern grocery store located on Costas Drive in Hoppers Crossing also found itself under attack.
This time, the assailants succeeded in igniting a fire within the premises, only to be met with swift intervention by a vigilant passer-by who managed to extinguish the flames before they could engulf the establishment entirely.
Thankfully, neither of the targeted businesses had occupants present during the assaults, averting potential harm to individuals. However, the implications of these attacks extend far beyond the immediate vicinity, resonating with a pattern of calculated violence that has plagued the region for over a year.
Victoria Police, in their statement following the incidents, underscored the targeted nature of these attacks, emphasizing their ongoing efforts to unravel the complex web of criminal activity fueling the conflict.
Since March of the previous year, nearly 70 incidents of arson targeting tobacco stores have been recorded. However, the scope of the violence transcends mere property damage, with reports of firebombings directed at a myriad of establishments including restaurants, clubs, and mechanical workshops.
In response to the escalating crisis, Victoria Police established the Lunar taskforce in October of the previous year, dedicated to confronting the individuals orchestrating the chaos.
To date, the taskforce has effected 65 arrests, including a key figure believed to be one of the primary instigators of the conflict.
As Melbourne’s southwest grapples with the fallout of yet another night of violence, the resolve of law enforcement to quell the unrest and restore order remains unwavering.
In January Police 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.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
