| Melbourne tobacco wars | |
|---|---|
| Date | 24 March 2023 – ongoing[1] |
| Location | Victoria, Australia |
| Methods | Arson, murder, ram raids, firebombing [1] |
| Status | Active |
| Casualties | |
| Arrested | 82 as of 8 October 2024[2] |
The Melbourne tobacco wars is an ongoing dispute between rival criminal gangs in Melbourne, Australia. The war has seen over 100 arson attacks on convenience stores and tobacconist in Greater Melbourne.[3]
Events
editResponse
editIn October 2023, Victoria Police set up Taskforce Lunar to target Victoria's illegal trade of tobacco. In its first year of operation, the task force made more than 80 arrests and executed over 200 search warrants.[2]
On 29 October 2024, Victoria's state opposition introduced a private member's bill in parliament seeking to penalise the sale of illegal tobacco with fines of up to A$1 million for first-time offenders, introduce a licensing scheme for businesses wanting to sell tobacco similar to the state's liquor licensing regulations, provide Victoria Police with more search and seizure powers, and up to two years imprisonment for repeat offenders.[4]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b 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 Day, Alex (8 Oct 2024). "More than 80 arrested in first year of Taskforce Lunar". Victoria Police. Archived from the original on 9 Oct 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ Dann, Emily (27 October 2024). "Mickleham convenience store firebombed". Herald Sun. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ Kaila, Jon (29 October 2024). "State opposition to introduce private member's bill detailing its tobacco licensing scheme". Herald Sun. Retrieved 29 October 2024.