Two men charged with attempted underworld killing, police suspect paid murder contract in Jacana

Two men have faced court charged with attempting to murder an alleged major tobacco syndicate rival after a shooting at a set of traffic lights earlier this year.

Two men have been charged over an attempted contract killing linked to the illicit tobacco trade. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Two men have faced court charged with attempting to murder an alleged major tobacco syndicate rival after a shooting at a set of traffic lights earlier this year.

Truganina men Ocean Kidwell, 25, and Timoteo Timoteo, 30, fronted Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon charged over the brazen shooting on the M80 Ring Rd on May 7.

The 51-year-old alleged victim was driving from the Wyndham area toward Broadmeadows when it is alleged Mr Kidwell and Mr Timoteo pulled up to him at a set of lights.

Police say at least one of the pair allegedly pumped several bullets into the man at the intersection of the Western Ring Rd and Pascoe Vale Rd about 12pm.

Police were unable to locate the injured man at the scene but later found he had self presented to a Parkville hospital with several gunshot wounds.

He was taken to hospital by family members in a critical condition.

Police say the shooting is connected to the illicit smoke trade. Picture: David Crosling

Police will allege the man was shot as a result of a dispute over loyalty linked to the lucrative smoke trade.

They say the shooting involves two of the major illicit tobacco syndicates, including the powerful Hamad crew.

They believe the shooting was a result of a paid murder contract.

They believe a number of others are connected to the shooting.

The special operations group were called in to assist in the arrest of Mr Kidwell and Mr Timoteo at Truganina on Thursday.

Four properties were then raided; two homes in Truganina and a pair of businesses at Werribee.

Detective Inspector Graham Banks said it was as brazen as it gets. Picture: David Crosling

Mr Timoteo is facing 11 other charges on top of the attempted murder charge including possessing a firearm in a public place, prohibited person using a firearm, causing serious injury in circumstances of gross violence and recklessly engaging in conduct that places or may place another person in danger of death.

Mr Kidwell faces 12 charges as well, including discharging a firearm at a vehicle, shooting a firearm recklessly at any person, and intentionally causing serious harm in circumstances of gross violence.

Lunar task force chief Graham Banks said it appeared to be an alleged contracted attempted killing.

“This is a significant update following an incident of reckless and extreme public violence,” he said

“This occurred in the middle of the day and the consequences of this shooting could have been far more extreme and potentially resulted in innocent members of the community being killed or seriously injured.

“Police will allege this was a contracted and targeted attack, funded by the enormous wealth that is generated through illicit tobacco.

“We have seen time and time again that these crime syndicates have no regard for the safety of the broader public as they attempt to defend those profits.”

Lunar detectives are keen to speak to anyone with knowledge of the shooting.

Mr Kidwell will return to court on March 14 for a committal case conference and Mr Timoteo is slated to next appear on April 11.

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