Ben Valerio fronts court over arson of tobacco stores

The long-running tobacco store wars has claimed another victim after the man responsible for several firebombings was hauled before court.

A man has pleaded guilty in relation to a several Christmas Day firebombings as part of the long-running tobacco wars.

Ben Valerio pleaded guilty in the County Court on Thursday to four charges of arson and will be back for a plea hearing on December 17 when a psychological report will also be discussed.

The 37-year-old from Point Cook was one of five men arrested early this year over a series of arson attacks on December 25, 2023, believed to be linked to Melbourne’s tobacco wars.

Others arrested were Stan Zanakas, 30, of Templestowe, Albion’s Nicholas Kirby, 32, Murat Shomshe, 42, of Werribee, and Bailey Hobbs, 23, of Sunshine West.

Shomshe pleaded guilty on Wednesday to two charges of arson and one of committing an offence while on bail and is back in court on Friday for further plea.

Ben Valerio, 37, from Point Cook, has pleaded guilty to four charges of arson in relation to the firebombings of tobacco stores across Melbourne.

Four tobacco stores and a cafe in Altona, Altona North, Croydon, Moe and Sunshine were targeted in late December and January, with one Altona tobacco store targeted twice in as many nights.

Valerio was involved in the arson attack in Moe, Croydon and Altona North on Christmas Day and at Altona on January 11, 2024.

The prosecution is alleging that Mr Zanakas was also involved with Valerio in the firebombings of stores in Moe and Croydon

Mr Kirby and Mr Hobbs were allegedly also involved in the arson attacks at Altona North.