Operation Eclipse: Five arrested in underground tobacco war raids

Five men have been arrested as police seize luxury cars and more than $100,000 during widespread raids in a crackdown on the tobacco arson wars.

Five men have been arrested after a series of searches across five metro suburbs under police’s crack down on the underground tobacco war.

It comes after a Craigmore tobacco store was targeted on Tuesday morning for the third time in five days.

Just after 8am on Tuesday, detectives from Serious and Organised Crime Branch supported by 45 police from specialist areas including heavily-armed STAR officers, the Digital Evidence Section and Confiscations Section officers launched raids across multiple suburbs.

The officers searched six residential and business premises located at Blair Athol, Walkley Heights, Dudley Park, Sheidow Park and Morphett Vale.

Detectives seized tobacco products, approximately $114,500 in cash and two vehicles including a black Range Rover.

The five men were arrested for offences police will allege relate to the ongoing conflict, associated with the illicit tobacco sales in SA and the standover and intimidation tactics allegedly being used by these syndicates.

Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby said: “The arrests today will significantly disrupt those involved in the illicit tobacco trade”.

He also warned those involved in the crime South Australia had “historically had a lot of success in investigating matters of this nature.”

“SA Police will continue to investigate offences of violence and extortion and pursue criminal charges – even if victims are unwilling or reluctant to assist police – if sufficient evidence exists.”

He encouraged anyone involved in the illicit tobacco trade to contact police to assist in “preventing further acts of violence in South Australia”.

Detectives have seized numerous items of interest including tobacco products, approximately $114,500 in cash and two vehicles including a black Range Rover.

Those arrested and charged on Tuesday are:

■ A 34-year-old man from Blair Athol was charged with aggravated affray and aggravated assault

■ A 31-year-old man from Blair Athol was charged with aggravated affray, attempt cause serious harm and money laundering

■ A 23-year-old man from Blair Athol was charged with aggravated affray, aggravated attempt cause serious harm and money laundering

■ A 33-year-old man from Walkley Heights was charged with aggravated affray and aggravated attempt cause harm

■ A 23-year-old man from Dudley Park was charged with aggravated affray and aggravated assault.

All five men were refused police bail and are expected to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Police arrested and charged a man they called a “key figure” in the tobacco wars last week.

Ahmed Aref Abdul Al Mansoury, 34, of Blair Athol, was charged with money laundering and remanded into custody at his court appearance last Thursday.

Counsel for Mr Al Mansoury said his client denied the allegations against him.

Operation Eclipse is a special task force targeting crime syndicates vying for the “lion’s share” of the illicit tobacco market.

The Advertiser revealed on Saturday South Australian tobacco shop owners were being asked to pay $2000 a month to interstate crime syndicates or risk being firebombed.

Operation Eclipse is a special task force targeting crime syndicates vying for the “lion’s share” of the illicit tobacco market.

People who buy illicit tobacco products are directly supporting the organised crime syndicates driving the current Operation Eclipse-related crime series, police said.

The arrests came another incident where a Craigmore tobacco shop was been targeted for the third time in five days.

Witnesses reported seeing two men leaving the Yorktown Rd tobacco shop at 6am on Tuesday.

Police searched the area, but the two men could not be located and nothing was stolen from the vandalised premises.

Police confirmed the premises had previously been broken into over the weekend and they will continue to investigate links to Operation Eclipse.

Anyone with information on the break-in or saw any suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or on 1800 333 000. You can remain anonymous.