Northern NSW tobacconists targeted in ram raids and arson hits

NSW Police seek information after a number of tobacconists in Northern NSW were hit by targeted attacks.

Transcript

00:00So the financial crime squad arson unit detectives are seeking information in relation to ram raids and

00:08Tobacconist attacks arson attacks in northern New South Wales on the 22nd of September 2024 a stolen Toyota

00:16Corolla was driven into a tobacconist in Tweed Head South

00:21Two men exited that vehicle and when they exited the vehicle

00:25They did some extensive damage with hammers inside the premises and stole cigarettes

00:31about a month later

00:32The same people police alleged returned to that shop

00:37however, there was bollards installed in front of that shop and they targeted a neighboring business a

00:44Mg SUV was driven into that neighboring business

00:48There was accelerant used however it failed to ignite

00:53Because their lighters simply didn't work

00:56On the 23rd of October about a month later police alleged that the same people

01:03Used a Mercedes sedan and drove into a business a tobacconist in Ballina

01:09Completely destroying that business by setting fire to that vehicle

01:14that whole

01:16Building was extensively damaged the residential premises above were completely destroyed as were

01:22associated commercial properties next to the tobacconist

01:27Consequently strike force Albany was initiated in relation to this investigation

01:32because police believe that all three incidents are linked and

01:36They are in relation to organized criminal networks selling illicit tobacco

01:43Police are releasing CCTV footage. We are after a black

01:49BMW sedan

01:51information in relation to that sedan