Cops spike major illegal syndicate as tobacco wars rage

A major Victorian illegal tobacco syndicate has been foiled in widespread raids by police as the state’s tobacco wars heat up.

Police have struck a $30m blow against a major Victorian illicit tobacco syndicate with Haddara family links in a wave of raids.

The gang is one of the major operators of the state’s illegal smokes sector and controls dozens of stores across Melbourne.

Police say they carried out 27 warrants in Melbourne on Tuesday as part of a major operation.

A 25-year-old Hoppers Crossing man arrested at Melbourne Airport was among those charged.

He faces counts of a Commonwealth offence of directing the activities of a criminal organisation, possession of tobacco products with the intent of defrauding, possessing the proceeds of crime and selling and distributing e-cigarettes.

He was attempting to fly to Dubai before he was detained.

A huge pile of Double Happiness cigarettes was seized from a home in Truganina.

The Lunar taskforce was set up in September last year to combat the outlaw tobacco industry.

Major organised crime figures fighting over the lucrative sector have sparked chaos with more than 100 firebombings linked to the conflict.

The two main illicit tobacco factions are led by enemies Fadi Haddara and Kazem Hamad.

Haddara had enjoyed a stranglehold on the market until last year when Hamad made a fiery intervention with a wave of smoke store torchings.

“It will be alleged the syndicate was leasing stores, employing staff as supervisors, store managers and couriers and commencing deliveries under the guise of operating the stores as legitimate gifts and confectionery stores, while selling only illicit tobacco and related products,” a police statement said.

A Thornbury convenience store was the latest property to be targeted in Victoria’s raging tobacco wars. Picture: Jason Edwards

Crime Command Assistant Commissioner Martin O’Brien said the warrants would make a “significant impact” but said it was not the end.

He said syndicate members had been “ruthless” in their bid to control the market.

“This is not the end of the tobacco wars as we know them,” he said.

Federal police detained the 25-year-old at the airport before Victorian officers moved to formally arrest him.

“The people involved are ruthless, treacherous, and immoral criminals, who will resort to violence and intimidation if anyone threatens their illegal income,” he added.

“This goes at the very heart of the organisation of the criminal network.

“I’m not up here today to make hollow threats, but instead to make a promise that Victoria Police will continue to do everything in its power to hold these people to account, and prevent them from inflicting on the Victorian community the outrageous behaviours we’ve become all too familiar with.

“We’re in for the long game.”

The store was targeted on Tuesday morning. Picture: Jason Edwards

Many of the Truganina factories were used as distribution points to move tobacco to the 17 stores in the syndicate.

Investigators say they have transaction records showing the syndicate earned more than $30m in 12 months through illegal tobacco sales.

Viper and Lunar taskforce detectives carried out the raids and eight people were later charged with Commonwealth offences.

Those related to their alleged roles in “directing and assisting an organised crime syndicate,” A Victoria Police statement said.

Officers from the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Taxation Office, Australian Border’s Force’s illicit tobacco taskforce and the Therapeutic Goods Administration were also involved in today’s sweep of warrants.

Searches were made at three homes in Hoppers Crossing and others at Truganina, Glen Waverley, Lara, Footscray, Mount Cottrell and Grovedale.

Three stores in Hoppers Crossing, two in Werribee, three at Ararat, two at Echuca and others in Herne Hill, Bell Park, Grovedale, Dallas, Kensington, Boronia, Kyabram and Yarrawonga.

Three industrial properties in Truganina were also raided.

More to come.

Originally published as Cops spike major illegal syndicate as tobacco wars rage