In a separate case,detectives on Wednesday also charged Frederico Bruno,48,from Thomastown,with possessing two rifles,a handgun,an imitation firearm and handling stolen goods. He was earlier arrested as part of raids by Taskforce Lunar,which has been investigating the fires connected to the illegal tobacco dispute.
The court heard that police allegedly seized three guns at Bruno’s panel-beating business,including the loaded handgun that was found in the fridge.
Both rifles were allegedly stolen – one taken during a burglary in Sunshine and another during a burglary at Box Hill – Detective Senior Constable Bonita Di Giangregorio said.
Bruno applied for bail,but police opposed it,telling the court that Bruno had a “cavalier attitude” in having the weapons.
“He stated he had them at the factory for protection,” Di Giangregorio told Magistrate Jarrod Williams.
The detective said she was concerned that Bruno failed to see the seriousness of the charges.
“I’m not entirely sure that he wouldn’t have[access] to more firearms for protection,” she said.
Bruno’s lawyer argued that he had a limited criminal history,was of good character and offered to pay a surety and abide by any court imposed conditions if granted bail.
Despite being the sole bread winner for his family and offering to pay a surety of $10,000,the magistrate denied bail.
“The risk alleged is that the applicant might have access to other firearms and might be prepared to use them,given the reason he gave for his possession … which was for his own protection,” Williams said.
Bruno will return to court in February.
Investigators previously toldThe Age they believe the activity is linked to a violent war over Melbourne’s illicit tobacco and nicotine trade with a rival criminal faction,plunging the city into a fresh war.
Specialised unit Taskforce Lunar is investigating tobacco and vape smuggling,their distribution in smoke shops and standover operations of existing outlets by coercing traders to pay a “tax” to operate.
Police executed warrants at several properties in Melbourne’s north on Tuesday. At a property in Campbellfield,police seized 615 kilograms of loose tobacco,725,000 cigarettes and 1068 vapes. These items have not been linked to Alibadi or Bruno and are not relevant to their charges.
On Tuesday,Taskforce Lunar Detective Inspector Graham Banks alleged in a press confernece that Alibadi was “one of the significant ringleaders on behalf of a ... Middle Eastern organised crime group”.
Banks alleged Alibadi had “direct contact with the person who is directing all the harm from overseas and is then co-ordinating that harm in Victoria”.
“I want people to understand this particular syndicate,it’s[allegedly] a worldwide network,it was related to a massive market worth millions and millions of dollars,” he said.
“There is nothing that … would stop this person from continuing to try to control that market. But certainly,what[the arrest] will do,it will disrupt his particular business for some time.”
The businesses allegedly targeted by Alibadi are either owned by or linked to the rival Haddara syndicate. A police intelligence report describes the Haddara syndicate as one of the largest operators in Victoria’s illicit tobacco market,including sophisticated importation and distribution networks.
Victoria Police’s Taskforce Lunar has 31 active arson investigations which include tobacco stores,vehicles,gyms,restaurants and private addresses.