A 25-year-old Epping man has been remanded following charges relating to four arson attacks across Melbourne last year.
Police seized four guns and a significant amount of illicit tobacco as part of an investigation into a series of suspicious fires connected to an illicit tobacco dispute.
Police from the Lunar and VIPER taskforces executed warrants at four properties on Tuesday – two at Epping, Campbellfield and Thomastown.
A Thomastown man, 48, was also arrested and charged with having possessed, carried or used an unregistered long-arm, having possessed a handgun without a licence, possession of traffickable quantity of firearms and having handled stolen goods.
The Epping man faces charges of arson and extortion, while a Campbellfield man was released pending further enquiries.
Both the Epping and Thomastown men appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
The Epping man made no application for bail and was remanded to reappear on May 11.
The Thomastown man will face Heidelberg Magistrates Court on February 13.
Detectives allege the Epping man was responsible for commissioning a number of arson attacks on businesses last year, including:
A fire at a tobacco store in Glenroy in October;
Two fires at the same Docklands restaurant on November 18 and 20; and
A fire at a reception centre in Tullamarine in December.
He has also been charged in relation to a threat against a tobacco store owner in Glenroy in September.
From the Thomastown property, police seized four firearms including two rifles, a handgun and an imitation longarm, as well as ammunition.
Taskforce Lunar currently has 31 active arson investigations, which include tobacco stores, vehicles, gyms, restaurants and private addresses.
A significant investigation into the series is underway with Taskforce Lunar drawing 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 is also working closely with regional police, as well as a range of external agencies such as the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Federal Police and Australian Taxation Office.
Taskforce Lunar investigators allege the current situation is as a result of criminal syndicates in conflict due to competition for profit derived from the illicit tobacco market.
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.
Police allege the syndicates comprise of personnel from Middle Eastern organised crime groups and outlaw motorcycle gangs, who are then engaging networked youth, street gangs and other low-level criminals to carry out the offending.
Investigators continue to appeal to anyone, especially store owners and staff, who have information about the incidents and those responsible to come forward.
Anyone with information about the 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.
