Melbourne tobacco wars
| Melbourne tobacco wars | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Organised crime in Australia | ||||
A tobacconist after an arson attack in Altona North | ||||
| Date | 24 March 2023 – ongoing[1] | |||
| Location | ||||
| Methods | Arson, Extortion, Shooting, Firebombing, Ram-raiding | |||
| Status | Ongoing | |||
| Parties | ||||
| ||||
| Casualties | ||||
| Death(s) | 1 confirmed death[2] | |||
| Arrested | Over 100 (as of March 2025)[3] | |||
| Buildings destroyed | Over 100[4] | |||
The Melbourne tobacco wars are an ongoing series of violent criminal incidents centered on turf wars between organised crime groups over control of the illegal tobacco trade in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The conflict has been marked by firebombings, extortion, and shootings. As of early 2025, Victoria Police report over 125 arson attacks and more than 100 arrests.
Background
The illegal tobacco trade in Australia is highly lucrative due to high taxation on legal tobacco. Organised crime groups have increasingly turned to this trade, leading to violent competition over territory and market control.
A 2023 investigation by The Age reported that some gangs were importing illegal cigarettes via container ports or manufacturing them locally. Illicit tobacco is sold through otherwise legitimate-looking stores, often owned or operated by front companies. A packet of cigarettes costing up to $50 in taxes when sold legally might be sold for as little as $15 under the counter.[5]
The retail turf war intensified after new Commonwealth laws increased penalties and enforcement powers related to illicit tobacco in mid-2023.[6]
Conflict
Criminal syndicates have been targeting rival tobacco shops and convenience stores suspected of selling illicit tobacco. The attacks include petrol bombings, arson, and extortion attempts. Taskforce Lunar, established by Victoria Police, is investigating the conflict.
Over 100 people have been arrested in connection with the conflict as of March 2025.[3]
Casualties and damages
A number of injuries and deaths have occurred in relation to the attacks. In January 2025, a 51-year-old man was critically injured during an attempted arson attack on The Golden Lounge dessert bar in Prahran, reportedly setting himself alight in the process.[7] Also that month, 27-year-old Katie Tangey was killed in a house fire in Truganina, believed to have been a mistaken identity case tied to the conflict.[2]
Victoria Police have confirmed over 100 properties have been targeted, primarily tobacco retailers and convenience stores across Melbourne and regional Victoria.[4]
In Coburg, a fire destroyed part of a convenience store and caused collateral damage to an adjacent nightclub, including $15,000 worth of DJ equipment.[8]
In Fawkner, an arson attack on a smoke shop resulted in heavy damage to neighboring businesses, including a family-owned cake shop.[9]
See also
References
- ^ Vedelago, Chris; Pascual Juanola, Marta; Pearson, Erin (8 July 2024). "Prosecution witness in Melbourne's tobacco war allegedly firebombed into silence". The Age. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Breakthrough in Tobacco War Firebombing that Killed Katie Tangey". GWBR. January 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Taskforce Lunar Probes Springvale Fire". Mirage News. Victoria Police via Mirage News. 22 January 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ a b "No end in sight for illegal tobacco wars as police reach milestone". 9News. March 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ "How a turf war over illegal tobacco sparked a wave of firebombings across Melbourne". The Age. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ "Illicit Tobacco". Australian Border Force. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ "Man in critical condition after alleged arson attack on tobacco shop on Chapel St in Prahran, Melbourne". 7News. 19 January 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ "Police investigate tobacco store arson attacks in Melbourne's inner north-west". ABC News. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ "Smoke shop in Fawkner set on fire in tobacco wars arson attack". Herald Sun. Retrieved 30 April 2025.