Tobacco wars: South Brighton man charged with blackmail on Adelaide tobacco store owner

A man has been charged after allegedly attempting to extort the owner of an Adelaide tobacco store as police continue to crack down on the city’s tobacco wars.

A man in his 20s will face court over allegedly attempting to extort the owner of a southern suburbs tobacco store in the latest crackdown on SA’s tobacco wars.

SAPOL has alleged the owner of a South Brighton tobacco shop was the intended victim of the blackmail attempt.

Police have not disclosed any other information regarding the method or nature of the blackmail.

Detectives attached to SAPOL’s anti-tobacco wars taskforce Operation Eclipse arrested the 28-year-old South Brighton on Saturday, who has since been charged with blackmail.

He was refused police bail and is set to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court later on Monday.

Operation Eclipse was set up in the wake of a series of arson attacks on tobacco and gift stores.

The Advertiser has previously reported SA tobacco shop owners are being asked to pay $2000 a month to interstate crime syndicates or risk being firebombed.

Last week, police raided what they said was the Pooraka safe house of one of the major criminal groups involved in the illict tobacco trade in South Australia, seizing about $1m worth of illegal cigarettes.

Almost $1 million worth of illicit tobacco products have been seized by Consumer and Business Services and SAPOL in the past two weeks. Picture: Supplied

Some of the illict tobacco seized last week from a home in Pooraka. Picture: SAPOL

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said earlier this month Operation Eclipse is targeting three primary syndicates vying for the “lion’s share” of the illicit tobacco market.

“There are three organised crime syndicates believed to be involved in this particular activity and we are strongly of the view that these interstate organised crime syndicates are pushing their way and expanding into the South Australian market,” Mr Stevens said.

Tactical commander Chief Inspector Brett Featherby said officers were continuously investigating offences of violence and extortion related to the sale of illicit tobacco.

“We will pursue criminal charges when sufficient evidence exists, even if victims are reluctant or unwilling to assist the police investigation,” Mr Featherby said.

Mr Featherby said police will use the “full suite of legislation” to stop more violence between groups involved in this illegal activity.

“I would ask anyone who may have found themselves reluctantly involved in the illegal tobacco trade and subject to threats or intimidation to contact police as we can assist you.’’