Campbellfield man charged over Point Cook tobacco store fire

A man who allegedly torched a Point Cook tobacco store while on bail is facing a string of charges after police raided his Campbellfield home.

Police have charged an alleged arsonist who was out on bail when he allegedly torched a Point Cook tobacco store.

The 26-year-old Campbellfield man has been charged with criminal damage by fire and theft of a car after Tommi’s Gift and Smoking Accessories shop on Murnong St was set alight about 6am January 19.

The man, who was allegedly on bail for another charge at the time of the arson, allegedly used a stolen Ford hatchback with fake number plates during the attack, which has been linked to a string of fires part of Victoria’s raging tobacco wars.

The man has also been charged with possessing cocaine and meth, possessing ammunition without a licence and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

Police raided his home on Tuesday afternoon, where they allegedly seized the drugs and ammunition.

The scene of a blaze at Tommi’s Gifts and Smoking Accessories tobacco store in Point Cook. Picture: Ian Currie.

Detective Inspector Graham Banks from Victoria Police’s illicit tobacco task force said people who fed into the black market tobacco trade by buying illegal cigarettes were helping fund the growing spate of arson attacks and firebombings across Victoria.

“Our investigators are working tirelessly to hold accountable every single person involved in the criminal offending related to this dispute and will continue to do so,” he said.

“But we also need the public’s help. If you are buying illicit tobacco, you are funding an arson attack, you are funding a shooting, you are funding the purchase of illicit firearms.

“I cannot be any clearer than that. If you purchase these cigarettes, you are lining the pockets of the criminal syndicates at the helm of this violent conflict.”

The Campbelfield man will face the Melbourne Magistrates Court on March 8.

The charges come after the Herald Sun obtained shocking footage of another recent fire at a Mill Park restaurant at the weekend that showed the escalation in gangland violence linked to the tobacco trade.

Four teenagers were charged over an initial botched arson at the Al Nafoura Lebanese restaurant last week, before a group of thugs wielding military rifles and a handgun returned to set the place alight.

Investigations into the Point Cook fire are ongoing.

Anyone with information on any organised crime activity linked to illicit tobacco should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au.