Police are conducting an operation to investigate serious criminal offending associated with illicit tobacco in South Australia.
Operation Eclipse has been focussed for some time and is investigating offences including arson, assaults and money laundering linked to the illegal activity that was first identified by police in May.
Detective Superintendent Shane Addison, Officer in Charge, Serious and Organised Crime Branch said police have been working proactively to identify the criminal networks involved in the trade of the illicit tobacco and working with other agencies to disrupt their criminal activities.
“Operation Eclipse has established strong working relationships with Victoria Police and other law enforcement agencies and we are sharing intelligence,” he said.
“We will not tolerate criminal behaviour that poses a risk to the community and have already made several arrests as part of the operation.”
Police have so far linked seven arson attacks in the metropolitan area to the illicit tobacco industry. They have involved vehicles, restaurants and tobacco retailers. Numerous other incidents including assaults and standovers, have also been identified.
Serious and Organised Crime Branch detectives conducting Operation Eclipse have also identified another 15 persons of interest in the activity.
Besides the two arrests made so far for money laundering and serious criminal trespass, detectives have seized thousands of dollars in cash.
Operation Eclipse is working in partnership with CBS Tobacco Investigations, who are responsible for the regulation of tobacco in SA.
The seven arson incidents include:
- 19 July – car fire at Glenelg North
- 30 August – restaurant fire at Henley Beach Road, Torrensville
- 7 September – restaurant fire Main North Road, Enfield
- 9 September – vehicle fire Walkley Heights
- 11 September – vehicle fire Mawson Lakes
- 14 September – business broken into and arson attack Port Road, Hindmarsh
- 30 September – business at Henley Beach Road, Brooklyn Park
