MELBOURNE, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Police in Melbourne have arrested three teenagers as part of an investigation into arson attacks linked to an ongoing organized crime turf war for control of the illicit tobacco trade.
A statement on Thursday from the police force in the state of Victoria said that the boys, two aged 17 and a 15-year-old, were arrested on Tuesday morning and charged with the theft of a motor vehicle that was used in a series of extortion and firebombing incidents that targeted tobacco stores in June.
In a separate arrest also on Tuesday, Victoria Police officers apprehended a 20-year-old man who is alleged to have tasked offenders to commit home invasions, arson attacks and kidnappings across Melbourne over several months.
Victoria Police Detective Inspector Graham Banks told reporters that investigators believe the 20-year-old man is a high-ranking member of an organized crime syndicate that has expanded from illicit drugs and tobacco to targeting legitimate hospitality businesses for extortion.
The same organized crime syndicate, known as The Commission, has been identified by police as the dominant force controlling Australia's illicit tobacco market and large-scale drug importations.
Melbourne newspaper The Age reported earlier in July that the syndicate has been demanding cash payments from tobacco retailers under the threat of arson attacks.
Victoria Police said that the car allegedly stolen by the three teenagers was involved in such attacks, which have been widespread and common across the city since an illicit tobacco turf war between organized crime groups commenced in 2023. ■
