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Four people have been charged as part of an investigation into a spate of tit-for-tat tobacco and vape store arson attacks that police have linked to the Finks bikie gang.
The charges come after Victoria Police raided six Melbourne residential properties and a business on Friday as part of a crackdown on gang-related violence, which has ramped up recently as groups battle to control the illegal tobacco trade.
A 33-year-old man from Epping was charged with arson and related offences, two counts of motor vehicle theft, burglary and drug possession.
A 40-year-old man from Kilmore was charged with arson and related offences, two counts of motor vehicle theft and three counts of handling stolen goods. He will also be charged with committing indictable offences while on bail.
A 31-year-old woman from Flemington was charged with arson and related offences, two counts of motor vehicle theft, burglary and drug possession.
A 43-year-old man from Melton was charged with possessing synthetic cannabis.
A battle between Middle Eastern organised crime entities and motorcycle gangs has been linked to 11 arson attacks on tobacconists dating back to March, causing damage to shops in Springvale, Moonee Ponds, Deer Park, Hoppers Crossing, Wodonga and Wangaratta.
As part of the investigation, two men connected to the Finks were arrested and two firearms were seized earlier this week.
Police say young people have been recruited to gangs to commit attacks on stores run by people who either resist extortion or attempt to do business in areas controlled by organised crime groups.
Detectives are also examining links between the arson attacks and the shooting of notorious gangland figure Mohammed Akbar Keshtiar in South Yarra this month.
Keshtiar – known as Afghan Ali – died after he was shot while walking near Chapel Street with an associate on August 4. Keshtiar had become a major player in the illicit tobacco trade before the murder.
On Friday morning, Victorian Police and Australian Border Force officers raided properties in Heidelberg, Kilmore, Flemington, Derrimut, Broadmeadows, Pascoe Vale and Glenroy, arresting four people.
Police have spoken to the operators of more than 60 tobacco stores as part of their investigation into the alleged extortion and arson attacks.
Victoria Police is also working with the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Taxation Office as part of the crackdown on gang related violence.
Police at the scene of Keshtiar’s shooting in South Yarra.Credit: Joe Armao
“Investigators are looking into a range of motivations for these fires and links to a range of organised crime syndicates,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said in a statement on Saturday.
Police do not believe the attacks are connected to another series of gang-related tit-for-tat firebombings that destroyed popular Collingwood grocer Sonsa Market in June and damaged several homes, cars and businesses.
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