Victoria's illegal tobacco war has seen two more men charged over an extortion threat and another store razed in an apparent firebombing.
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The men entered a convenience store at Craigieburn in Melbourne's outer north on Tuesday evening and tried to extort the business, police allege.
They allegedly approached a staff member and demanded to speak with the owner, who was told their store would be firebombed if they didn't "pay up".
The owner refused, leading to a verbal confrontation before the two men fled in a silver Mercedes Benz. Nobody was injured during the incident.
The alleged offenders, a 21-year-old from Mickleham and 21-year-old from Greenvale, were arrested on Wednesday.
The Mickleham man has been charged with extortion with threats to destroy or endanger property, reckless conduct endangering serious injury and unlicensed driving.
The silver Mercedes Benz he was driving at the time of his arrest was seized and will be forensically examined.
The Greenvale man has also been charged with threats to destroy or endanger property.
Both are scheduled to face court on Thursday.
The Lunar Taskforce has been investigating more than 30 arson attacks believed to be linked to an ongoing conflict between Middle Eastern organised crime groups and outlaw motorcycle gangs over illegal tobacco.
Police have previously said criminals are demanding regular payments from shop owners and ordering lower-level criminals to carry out firebombings.
Paul O'Halloran from Victoria Police's crime command said the latest alleged extortion attempt has direct links to those at the top of a criminal syndicate and was designed to create significant fear.
"The police and the community expect these offenders to be held to account for their violence and intimidation," he said in a statement.
"However, we know that this fight is far from over."
It comes after a tobacco store in the Ballarat suburb of Bakery Hill was completely destroyed, along with two neighbouring buildings, in a suspicious fire on Thursday morning.
A nearby tobacconist on Curtis Street also had its front entrance rammed, before two vehicles were found burned out on Queen Street South and Scott Parade.
Police believe the Ballarat incidents are linked.
Australian Associated Press
