‘Must pay’: Adelaide tobacconists reveal blackmail tactics used by interstate-based syndicates

An Adelaide tobacconist has revealed shop owners are being blackmailed by interstate crime syndicates if they refuse to pay their levy.

South Australian tobacco shop owners are being asked to pay $2000 a month to interstate crime syndicates or risk being firebombed, an inside source has revealed.

It comes as more insiders lift the lid on the arson attacks that have gripped Adelaide in recent months.

SA Police has alleged 15 arson attacks across the metropolitan area, and one in regional SA, over the past three months are linked to organised crime syndicates trying to muscle in on the state’s tobacco trade.

A tobacconist, who spoke to The Advertiser on condition of anonymity, says that eastern state-based organised crime groups are attempting to use heavy-­handed standover tactics to extort a monthly fee from shop owners.

SAPOL allege 15 arson attacks across the metropolitan area, and one in regional SA, over the past three months are linked to organised crime syndicates trying to muscle in on the state’s tobacco trade. Picture: Supplied

They said store owners had recently started receiving threatening phone calls from criminal organisations demanding a cut of their profits.

“He’s been ringing up shop owners … blackmailing them that (they must pay) $2000 a month and if they don’t receive the $2000, the shop goes up,” they said.

The tobacconist said they were not concerned for their own safety while at work during the day, because the recent arson attacks had occurred at night, but they were worried they may be left without a job.

“I’m not worried during the day when I’m on shift (but) I’m just expecting my boss to call me one morning, telling me there’s no work,” they said.

Other insiders say interstate gangs are attempting to supply Adelaide smoke shops with cheap, illegal tobacco products and then demand a regular dividend.

Meanwhile, Smokemart and GiftBox Rundle Mall manager Shane Kerrison said the illicit tobacco trade had put a huge dent in the legal market because “there’s multiple locations where customers can get cigarettes $10 to $15 cheaper”.

Mr Kerrison estimated the illicit market was costing his business about $2000 a fortnight. “The cost of living is higher as well … people can’t afford luxuries like cigarettes unless its illicit,” he said.

Mr Kerrison said people regularly walked into the shop brazenly asking for illicit tobacco products.

“They don’t even view it as illegal ¬ I don’t think they really comprehend it,” he said.

“They just act as if they are buying a lighter.”

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens this week revealed Operation Eclipse – a taskforce established to combat crime related to illicit tobacco in SA – was focusing its attention on two interstate syndicates, from Victoria and Queensland, as well as one from SA.

“We are aware of threats that have been made via social media to different store owners,” he said. “They are being investigated.”

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said detectives were paying particular attention to one identity who they believe was behind the threats. Picture: Dean Martin

Mr Stevens said detectives were paying particular attention to one identity who they believe was behind the threats.

The Commissioner also ­appealed to the public to stop buying illegal tobacco products.

“The other thing for people to reflect on is their willingness to purchase illicit tobacco products and vapes from these stores creates a market for this particular activity which is creating the environment that sees organised crime syndicates trying to exploit these retailers,” he said.

Mr Stevens said police believe the arson attacks were the work of three organised crime syndicates.

“(They are) not specifically outlaw motorcycle gangs – these are organised crime syndicates based in Victoria and Queensland – and there is one group in South Australia that we are targeting as well.”

In September, The Advertiser revealed SA was “on the cusp of an organised crime war” as rival gangs began battling for control of the local illegal tobacco market.

Less than two weeks later, police revealed Operation Eclipse has been created to combat the escalating issue.

So far, arson attacks at smoke shops in Pennington, Rosewater, Stonyfell, Clearview and Torrensville, as well as at restaurants in Enfield and Torrensville, are among incidents being investigated by Operation Eclipse officers.

Police officers, including detectives from SAPOL’s Serious and Organised Crime Branch, raided several businesses and a home on Wednesday in relation to illegal tobacco.

They arrested 34-year-old Blair Athol man Ahmed Aref Abdul Al Mansoury, who was suspected of being a key player in the ongoing tobacco war, and charged him with money laundering.

He appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday and was remanded in custody. His matter will return to court next week.

Mr Stevens said he hoped the arrest would send “a very strong message to the people who are involved in perpetrating and organising those offences”.

It is not suggested that the shops targeted have engaged in any wrongdoing.