Tobacco wars: Geelong arson attacks probed by Lunar taskforce

A series of arson and ram-raid attacks on Geelong cigarette stores have been handed over to specialist Melbourne detectives investigating the tobacco turf wars across Victoria.

Tobacconist on Wilsons Rd that was destroyed. Picture: Brad Fleet

A series of arson and ram-raid attacks on Geelong cigarette stores have been handed over to specialist Melbourne detectives investigating the escalating tobacco wars across the state.

At least four businesses have been targeted in Whittington, Lara and Leopold over the last eight months, with the anti-organised crime Lunar taskforce now leading the probes.

A smoke shop on The Centreway was attacked with molotov cocktails twice in the space of four days last month.

The Lara smoke shop’s smashed window. Picture: Alison Wynd

It’s believed the same firebombs were also used to engulf a Wilsons Rd tobacconist in July last year, and a Leopold vape shop in June.

Molotovs have been used in similar attacks involving the illegal tobacco trade across Melbourne, with countless shops and other businesses hit.

Rising tensions between two Middle Eastern gangs fighting for control of the industry is understood to be behind the crime wave.

Police are urging anyone with information on the Geelong attacks to come forward.

Lunar taskforce Detective Acting Inspector, Andrew Foot, said assistance from the community was crucial to help bring a stop to the turf war.

“I want to appeal to those who work in this industry or who have a business near tobacco stores to come forward and provide police with any information they have,” he said.“If there are shop owners out there who have been approached to pay sums of money or who have been threatened in any way, then we urge you to contact police. 

“The arson attacks in particular put not only people’s livelihoods at stake but also people’s lives.”

In the Lara incident on February 28, witnesses reported seeing multiple vehicles “cruising past” The Smoke Shop shortly before 3.45am before a molotov cocktail was blasted onto the street.

A molotov was also thrown at its door on February 24.

The Whittington store was allegedly broken into a torched in the early hours of July 7 last year, while a vape shop in Leopold “exploded” a month prior in suspicious circumstances.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

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Originally published as Tobacco wars: Geelong arson attacks probed by Lunar taskforce