Investigators from the Serious and Organised Crime Division have charged an 18-year-old man in relation to a series of targeted attacks on illicit tobacco stores across the Perth metropolitan area.
It will be alleged; the accused, who was in Iraq at the time, conspired to orchestrate attacks on a number of illicit tobacco stores, arranging for the premises to be targeted by fire and other forms of extortion.
On 1 December 2025, the accused allegedly engaged an associate to firebomb a retail premises on Settlers Avenue in Baldivis. On 22 December 2025, two additional individuals attended the premises and deliberately set fire to the building. All three individuals were charged and convicted in relation to this incident.
It is further alleged the accused received payments from retail store operators in exchange for protection from being targeted.
The accused was arrested and charged by police on 16 September 2026, upon returning to Australia.
The 18-year-old man from Dianella has been charged with:
- 3 x Threat with Intent to Gain a Benefit
- 2 x Conspiracy to Commit Indictable (Principal) Offence
- 2 x Receiving
- 1 x Sold a Prohibited Drug
- 1 x Criminal Damage by Fire
He will next appear before Perth Magistrates Court on 15 October 2026.
