Authorities have shut 100 shops under newly granted powers aimed at stamping out the trade in illegal tobacco. Since those powers took effect on 9 September, the VIPER Taskforce and Tobacco Licensing Victoria officers have confiscated over four million unlawful cigarettes, roughly 70,000 vaping devices, three tonnes of leaf tobacco and close to $1 million in cash. The drive is directed at criminal networks that profit from the illicit product, including groups run from overseas. Retailers across a string of Melbourne suburbs have been inspected, and the operation is still underway.
Perfection Fresh Australia has admitted to cartel conduct by fixing the prices of broccoli, cauliflower and iceberg lettuce sold to Aldi stores in New South Wales. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says the company admitted the conduct on 11 occasions between 2019 and 2020. The company has agreed to pay a $12 million penalty, subject to Federal Court approval at a later date. Court action against three other suppliers and three individuals is continuing. A company spokesperson said it took full responsibility and has strengthened its compliance systems.
A suspicious fire badly damaged a grocery store on Ballarat Road in Deer Park, in Melbourne's west, early on Friday. Fire crews reached the single-fronted shop within about four minutes and contained the blaze to the shop. Five neighbouring businesses suffered smoke damage. No one was inside the store, but a witness was treated for smoke inhalation. Police say a group broke into the grocery store minutes before the fire started, then fled in a utility. The fire is being treated as suspicious, and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
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Police are investigating a suspicious fire at a grocery store in Deer Park overnight. It is understood unknown offenders entered the business on Ballarat Road just before 1.35am. No one was inside, but a witness needed medical treatment at the scene for smoke inhalation. Fire Rescue Victoria said the fire was under control by 2.21am, and five nearby buildings suffered smoke damage. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Jackson Bury has signed with Deer Park for next season in the Essendon District Football League premier division. The Maroochydore vice-captain, who earned an Anzac Day medal in the Queensland state league, is described as an attacking half back with polished skills by hand and foot. Deer Park says he will add to a defence already rich in talent. The club also highlighted that his cousins, club champions Trent and Jake McKenzie, play there, and that he is the second new recruit after Liam Podhajski.
Deer Park Bowls Club is set to begin its premier division season after a strong off-season, including the completion of an indoor dome and the addition of new players. The club, which finished top last season but lost in the final, has recruited Australian bowlers Aaron Teys and Corey Wedlock. Head of bowls operations Mark Casey highlighted the excitement around new talent and the development of younger players. Deer Park aims to compete strongly across all divisions, starting with a match against Essendon on Friday night.
Police have charged a 24-year-old Deer Park man and an 18-year-old woman over an alleged assault in Sunshine earlier this month. Detectives executed a search warrant in Deer Park and arrested the pair. The man faces charges of intentionally causing injury, affray and unlawful assault, while the woman faces an affray charge. Both have been bailed to appear at Sunshine Magistrates’ court on 4 February 2027. A 27-year-old Mickleham man was found unconscious on Hampshire Road on 1 October and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Australian billionaire Adrian Portelli has launched a new supermarket chain, LMCT+, in Melbourne's Deer Park, aiming to challenge major retailers like Coles and Woolworths. The store offers locally sourced products and a 10% price match guarantee, though customer reactions to pricing have been varied. Portelli's venture requires an annual $99 membership fee and operates at a loss, with the focus on gaining members. He has relocated to Dubai but denies abandoning Australia, criticising the current government and media. Portelli claims his mission is to hold leaders accountable while expanding his business empire.
Detectives are investigating a drive-by shooting at a house in Caroline Springs, in Melbourne's western suburbs. Victoria Police say several shots were fired from a vehicle at the home in Flinders Place at about 12.45am. Four people inside were not injured. Police say the offenders fled in a silver Toyota Corolla, which was later found burnt out in Deer Park. Police have asked anyone with information or footage to contact CrimeStoppers.
An expert warns that arson attacks on Melbourne businesses will continue unless authorities move beyond reactive measures against the illicit tobacco trade. A recent spate of suspected firebombings has hit businesses and vehicles in the city's west, including Melton, Taylors Lakes and Deer Park. Victoria Police have closed 61 stores over the past four weeks for selling illicit tobacco, with alleged links to organised crime. Deakin University criminologist James Martin says violence often rises after law enforcement crackdowns and that the underlying demand for nicotine remains unaddressed.
Tobacco stores in Footscray, Deer Park and Werribee are among 61 closed across Victoria in the past four weeks. Police from the VIPER Taskforce and Tobacco Licensing Victoria shut the stores over alleged links to organised crime and the sale of illicit tobacco. New powers took effect on 9 September, allowing 90-day closure notices. Authorities also seized more than two million illicit cigarettes, 40,000 vapes, 120kg of loose tobacco and $500,000 in cash. Police Detective Inspector Anthony Gasparini said operations would continue at short notice, including outside business hours and on weekends.
Victoria's taskforce has issued temporary 90-day closure orders on 62 stores linked to organised crime in the first month of its crackdown on illicit tobacco. None of the closures have been in regional Victoria, where the shops remain open. Police and Tobacco Licensing Victoria have also seized over two million illegal cigarettes, more than 40,000 vapes and over $500,000 in cash. Opposition MP Danny O'Brien called the effort too slow and too weak. Taskforce officials say they will visit stores across the state at short notice, including on weekends.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has admitted the state's crackdown on illegal tobacco came too late. Since 9 September, police and tobacco inspectors can close businesses accused of selling illicit tobacco for up to 90 days, with longer closures sought through the courts. At least 51 closure notices have been issued, according to the Victorian Government. Rohan Pike, who founded the Australian Border Force's tobacco strike team, criticised the government, calling the enforcement approach a whack-a-mole process. Closure notices do not mean businesses have been convicted of an offence.
Victoria has shut 61 stores in four weeks under new laws targeting illicit tobacco sales. Authorities seized millions of illegal cigarettes, 40,000 vapes, 120kg of loose tobacco and $500,000 in cash. The closures apply to businesses alleged to be linked to organised crime, with 90-day closure notices placed on shopfronts. Investigators are focusing on stores tied to crime networks, including offshore syndicates.
Victoria Police and Tobacco Licensing Victoria have shut down 61 stores linked to organised crime for selling illicit tobacco. The agencies issued 90-day closure notices and seized over two million cigarettes, 40,000 vapes, 120kg of loose tobacco and $500,000 in cash. The crackdown targeted stores in Deer Park, Geelong, South Geelong, Corio, Thomson, Werribee, Colac, Forrest, Footscray and Lalor, with more raids planned across the state.
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