Six people have been arrested and $1 million worth of e-cigarettes seized in raids over organised crime syndicates linked to the illicit tobacco trade in Victoria.
Authorities carried out search warrants at 34 tobacco shops across Melbourne on Wednesday and Thursday.
They seized more than 36,000 vapes, $400,000 worth of cigarettes, 30kg of tobacco, two kilograms of cannabis, cocaine and two expandable batons.
A Northcote man, 40, was charged with drug offences and bailed.
Five others were released pending further inquiries, bringing the total number of people arrested as part of the investigation to 13.
Searches were carried out in Bentleigh, Bacchus Marsh, Broadmeadows, Bundoora, Carlton, Hoppers Crossing, Glenroy, Kurunjang, North Melbourne, Flemington, Northcote, Moonee Ponds, St Albans, central Melbourne, Strathmore, Footscray, Melton West, Melton South, Collingwood, West Footscray, Reservoir, Fitzroy, Sunshine, Keilor Downs and Mernda.
Police say there have been more than 30 serious incidents linked to their probe durin the past seven months, including 27 suspicious fires.
Investigators believe they could be linked to conflicts between criminal syndicates competing to bring in profit through the tobacco shops.
Lives are at risk, according to Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly.
“We have been clear that this is no longer about simply the investigation of the individual incidents, this is about doing absolutely everything we can to deter, disrupt and dismantle these syndicates,” he said.
“This includes the targeting of anyone across Victoria who is involved in the distribution and sale of illicit tobacco, at any level.
“Ultimately, this is contributing to enabling those organised crime syndicates to operate here in Victoria.”
ABF Commander Maritime and Investigations South Clinton Sims said they were seizing record amounts of illicit tobacco coming into Victoria each week.
“The profits from illicit tobacco are usually funnelled back to organised criminal syndicates, involved in drug trafficking and money laundering,” he said.
“These criminal syndicates are sophisticated and run like a business, so they will do whatever it takes to ensure they have a supply and can continue to bring in a profit at the expense of legitimate business owners and the wider community.”
-AAP
