“Arsons have been a go-to method for a lot of syndicates as it’s cheaper and easier to manage than losing guns in drive-bys. And it sends a scarier message when you see the result,” the source said.
“For five or so,[or] in some cases 10k,you can have arsonists torch cars,shops,factories,houses.”
The “contract” typically involves at least two offenders and two stolen vehicles,one of which is used during the arson attack and then torched,and a “clean” getaway vehicle.
Just last week,two venues were firebombed within hours of each other. One of the venues,the Furlan Club in Thornbury,was due to host the boxing match of former bikie turnedprofessional boxer Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim,a suspected enemy of Hamad.
This masthead is not suggesting that Abdulrahim is himself part of any crime gang or involved in the illegal tobacco trade.
Police believe the arsonists fled the scene in two stolen cars,which officers found engulfed by flames in Reservoir and Bundoora shortly after the firebombings. No arrests have been made.
By contrast,arranging a drive-by shooting can cost anywhere between $20,000 and $40,000,with those contracting out the job expected to provide the weapons used. The risks of facing severe penalties if caught are also higher in a shooting.
“People sell their loyalty to the highest bidder,” the underworld source said.
“In today’s moment to shine,Kaz is the money man on the block,even though he is overseas.
“People like the Chaouks,the Haddaras,the Tibas,and the Kheirs,their time has passed. With the importation game being worth more than strength and street credit,no one would compete or compare.”
The outbreak of serious violence has led to a heavy police crackdown on both the Hamad and Haddara syndicates. Police have executed 70 warrants on tobacconists statewide and charged 20 players connected to the tobacco wars fires and extortion rackets since October.
Foot said the arrests had likely driven up the price for arsons.
“In the past,maybe someone would be prepared to do it for a few hundred dollars,but now there’s a lot of close attention – we’ve arrested a few and it’s getting a lot of attention,” Foote said.
The mechanics of organising the firebombings have been laid out in court where police tendered transcripts of phone calls and text messages between members of the Finks outlaw motorcycle gang who had allegedly been contracted to burn down two tobacco shops last year.
“Bro,u wanna go with a mate and u can make ($)2000 tonight all u gotta do is drive and he will take care of the rest?” the alleged organiser said.
“Do a 1,2,3 on the shop… Hey there’s two of them. You’ll make decent money.”
But the job was apparently botched,according to court documents.
Loading
“You f----d up the address,the first one,it wasn’t the right place so we have to do that one again,” the alleged organiser said.
“Yeah I google searched it,it’s an old picture but that’s the building,that’s the right one,that’s the one we went to. We done it. It’s an old building,it’s an old picture so I don’t know what these c---s are on about. He’s going to call them and get back to me.”
Victoria Police has arrested and charged three members of the club over the attacks.