Four men, one teen, with links to outlaw bikie gang Finks arrested over arson attacks

The arrest of four men and a teen with ties to the Finks follows a spate of arson attacks as Victoria police crack down on destructive tactics in the illicit tobacco market.

Four men and one teenager linked to the Finks bikie gang have been arrested following a spate of arson attacks over the past three weeks in Victoria, as police crack down on the destructive tactics used in the state’s tobacco wars.

Victoria Police and Australian Federal Police have joined efforts to investigate five arson incidents since Christmas to January 12 involving tobacco stores and a cafe.

One of the attacks include a firebombing on an Altona tobacconist that was targeted twice in just 24 hours this week.

A 41-year-old Werribee man, 30-year-old Templestowe man and 32-year-old Albion man, who are believed to be patched members of the Finks, have been arrested and charged with several counts of arson and aggravated carjacking. A 37-year-old Point Cook man was also arrested in relation to arson.

A 17-year-old boy from Yarraville was arrested and interviewed and has been released pending further inquiries.

The attacks are a continuation of the conflict between criminal syndicates competing for profits in the illicit tobacco market.

It is believed Middle Eastern organised crime groups and outlaw motorcycle gangs are tied up in the conflict, and are enlisting the help of youth offenders, street gangs and other low-level criminals to carry out offending.

Detective Inspector Graham Banks said the focus was on those causing harm in the community. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Victoria Police’s detective inspector Graham Banks, said the heightening criminal activity put people’s lives at risk.

“The illicit tobacco market is controlled by multiple different entities, it’s not controlled by one, which is probably why there’s been such a friction,” he said.

“We are focusing in on those that are at this stage causing harm in the community beyond just the sale of those tobacco products, which obviously are harmful themselves.”

Since October, the taskforce probing the arson attacks have executed almost 70 warrants at tobacco stores believed to be involved in the sale of illicit tobacco.

A car rammed the Free Choice tobacco store in Pier St, Altona, not long after 4am. Picture: 9NEWS

Detective Banks reassured the community that police are actively targeting the syndicates involved.

“Those involved have a complete lack of regard for the harm they are inflicting on the community, and we think it’s only a matter of time before someone is killed or seriously hurt in these reckless incidents.”

“While people’s lives remain at risk due to this heightened criminal activity, we will continue to target these organised crime syndicates and do everything we can to hold them accountable.”