Police have arrested four people – including members of the Finks motorcycle gang – in a series of raids over a string of firebombing attacks on tobacco and vape stores across Melbourne and regional Victoria.
The Age can also reveal detectives are examining links between the recent spate of arson attacks and the execution murder of notorious gangland figure Mohammed Akbar Keshtiar in South Yarra earlier this month, according to a legal source familiar with the investigation but not authorised to speak publicly.
Keshtiar – known as Afghan Ali – died in hospital after being shot multiple times on August 4 while walking along Almeida Crescent with an associate after a training session at a nearby gym. Keshtiar had become a major player in the illicit tobacco trade before his murder.
Officers from the arson and anti-gang squads swooped on a series of properties in Heidelberg, Kilmore, Flemington, Derrimut, Broadmeadows, Pascoe Vale and Glenroy on Friday morning, and arrested four people believed to be connected to the tit-for-tat arson attacks.
A 33-year-old man from Epping, a 40-year-old man from Kilmore, a 31-year-old woman from Flemington and a 43-year-old man from Melton were taken into custody and will be interviewed.
Police said the four had not co-operated with initial inquiries being made as part of the investigation, which they described as “turf warfare” over control of the illegal tobacco trade.
All Thingz K1W1, a convenience store in Deer Park, was torched on July 17.Credit: Joe Armao
A battle between Middle Eastern organised crime entities and motorcycle gangs over the tobacco trade has been linked to 11 arson attacks on tobacconists dating back to March, which caused extensive damage to shops in Springvale, Moonee Ponds, Deer Park, Hoppers Crossing, Wodonga and Wangaratta.
Investigators have revealed the battle has led to the recruitment of young people to carry out the arson attacks, which were targeted at shop owners who resist extortion attempts or open their businesses in areas controlled by organised crime.
Police said they had undertaken more than 30 property searches over the past four weeks as part of the investigation, in an attempt to seize illegal firearms.
Arson and explosives squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray said the arrests on Friday were “just the tip of the iceberg”.
“We’re conscious the individuals we’ve arrested are just the puppets for those pulling the strings for these attacks. Several of these [arrested on Friday] include members of the Finks motorcycle gang,” he said.
“We’re not dealing with criminal masterminds here, we’ve seen individuals who have set themselves on fire.”
Police released video footage showing an offender who accidentally set themselves on fire during an arson attack at Moonee Ponds on May 26.
Murray said a Middle Eastern organised crime entity – whose members police met with on Friday – was behind the illegal tobacco trade and the use of arson to extort owners of tobacco shops.
“The crime of illegal tobacco is not something ordinarily investigated by state law enforcement agencies, however, with the upsurge – as we’ve seen in arson attacks – this is an avenue which has grabbed our attention,” he said.
Police visited more than 60 tobacco stores on Friday as part of their investigation. Murray said shop owners had been hesitant to speak to police due to fear of retribution.
“They’ve been extorted, clearly, and by syndicates which have shown propensity for violence,” he said.
Police say the first of the attacks was on March 24, when the syndicate attempted to set a tobacco shop in Springvale alight by throwing objects through its window.
Mohammed Akbar Keshtiar was gunned down in South Yarra on August 5. He died in hospital.
The series of attacks also included three firebombings of a vape store in Moonee Ponds linked to underworld figure Sam Abdulrahim, who survived being shot several times as he left a Fawkner cemetery last year.
The Young Street store, which was torched on May 23 and 26 and June 11, was previously occupied by a beautician business run by Abdulrahim’s sister, Amira.
Abdulrahim had promoted the new vaping business on social media, but denied any connection to the store after the attacks. The Age is not suggesting Abdulrahim or his sister are connected to the illegal tobacco trade.
On June 3, emergency services were called to a tobacco store in nearby Puckle Street, after a passer-by saw the shop on fire.
Just weeks later, on July 17, police say arsonists targeted the wrong tobacco store in Dumfries Street, in Deer Park. A 17-year-old boy has since been charged with criminal damage by fire and arson.
Arsonists later attacked a second tobacco store in Dumfries Street, both on July 21 and August 1.
On July 27, arsonists set alight tobacco shops in High Street, Wodonga and Murphy Street, Wangaratta.
A tobacconist in Hogans Road, Hoppers Crossing was torched on August 11.
Sam Abdulrahim.Credit: Jason South
Police also believe an attempted extortion of a tobacco shop owner in Eltham in June could be linked to the firebombings.
On June 26, several men entered the Main Road convenience store in Eltham and allegedly threatened the owner to close the business.
Four patched members or associates of the Finks motorcycle gang were charged last month with extortion and a range of drug and firearm offences.
Police allege that one of the men struck up a conversation with the owner, before another threatened to burn the store down if it remained open.
Murray said the investigation into the arson and extortion racket was a priority for police.
“These are legitimate store owners who have told us they are feeling scared and concerned by these attacks – this is their livelihood that is directly being impacted,” he said.
Police do not believe the attacks are connected to another series of gang-related tit-for-tat firebombings that destroyed popular Collingwood grocer Sonsa Market in June and damaged several homes, cars and businesses.
Viper taskforce Detective acting Inspector Leigh Howse said his officers would be knocking on the doors of anyone linked to these syndicates, whom police suspect might also be involved in the illicit tobacco trade.
“We won’t only be focusing on the fires or illicit tobacco, the seizure of firearms and drugs linked to this broader investigation is testament to that,” Howse said.
Police want to speak to anyone who witnessed the incidents or has information about the parties involved. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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