Smoke shops caught up in tobacco wars given no warning, threats before stores set alight

Smoke shop workers caught up in Melbourne’s raging illicit tobacco war say they had no idea their store was in the firing line and received no warnings or threats before it was burnt down.

Smoke shop workers say there are no warnings given in the illicit tobacco game. Picture: David Crosling

Smoke shops caught up in Melbourne’s simmering illicit tobacco war say they were given no warning whatsoever before their shops went up in flames.

Staff inside several of the shops involved told the Herald Sun they had no idea their business was in the firing line, receiving no word of warning or threats in the days and weeks leading up to the blazes.

Many of the targeted stores have also been unable to re-open after their night of drama, having the intended effect to slowly eliminate and disrupt competing businesses.

One smoke shop worker, whose suburban store was hit by alleged arsonists earlier this year, said store owners around town were given no warnings or threats — enemies go straight in and blow them up.

He also dismissed any thought of ongoing standover tactics in the trade.

“Nobody is ever threatened or anything like that, I just woke up one day and there were fireys, cops everywhere,” he said as he enjoyed a cigarette outside his store.

“From what I know, there’s no real standover tactics or anything like that, like no warning.”

Two smoke shops in Hadfield were hit this year, including this one twice. Picture: David Crosling

That man said his cheap cigarettes brought in from overseas were all “good quality”, assuring this reporter the smokes were the same as the branded, above board types.

He spoke openly about selling the illicit goods, but said there was no other option in the current market.

The cheapest pack of smokes at his store would set a customer back just 12 bucks.

Another worker, whose corner store in Melbourne’s north was targeted and badly damaged by fire, also said there were no warnings given.

“I had no idea, I literally woke up to a phone call that said ‘your shop is on fire’,” the man behind the counter said.

“I didn’t get any warning that I know of, but I’m just a worker.”

This shop is yet to open its doors after it was set alight in October. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

The Glenroy Vape Tobacconist on Wheatsheaf St is still yet to open after it was smashed with a BMW and set alight on October 9.

The Puckle St store in Moonee Ponds was also damaged so badly, it is also yet to see customers return.

The Haddara-run smoke shop on Hogans Rd in Hoppers Crossing has also seized trading, with the vacant building now up for lease after it was set alight in August.

One woman, whose shop has been almost perfectly restored after their blaze in June, said she was shocked to find out her shop had been hit too.

“We had no warning whatsoever. None. I came to work to find it on fire,” she said.

“We had no idea.

“They tried to light it up four nights in a row, they smashed the doors and poured petrol everywhere but it didn’t catch fire until the fourth go.”