Police closer to nabbing tobacco arson 'directors'

Two men, aged 19 and 35, were arrested on Friday after a fire at a business in the Melbourne suburb of Fawkner on Thursday.

It is alleged a stolen car was driven into the business before one of the pair poured petrol in the shop and set it alight.

A gel blaster imitation gun was also discovered in a Westmeadows house where the teenager was arrested.

A Victoria Police task force is investigating eight fires over the past week, including the Fawkner blaze, targeting businesses selling tobacco.

The task force, set up in October to investigate organised crime syndicates involved in the illegal tobacco trade, has made 58 arrests and probed 51 arsons.

Detective Inspector Graham Banks said it was likely multiple people were responsible for the recent attacks.

"What we have seen is multiple youths being tasked-out on social media-type messaging apps," he told reporters.

"We're also working toward making more substantive arrests ... people who are directing it.

"Police and those involved in the trade have an understanding of who is directing it.

"It is a far more challenging thing to attribute the evidence to a sufficient standard to get those people before the court."

Det Insp Banks said police expect to make significant arrests in coming months in relation to those orchestrating the attacks.

He said the two men arrested on Friday, one of which he said was spotted on CCTV holding a gun, would be charged.

It is believed the run of arsons are a result of criminal syndicates wanting to profit from the illegal tobacco market.

Det Insp Banks said one syndicate had predominantly been the aggressor.

Police say the disputes are over the physical placement of tobacco into stores, as well as demands for stores to sell products and to pay a "tax" per week to operate.

More than $7 million worth of illegal tobacco products have been seized as a result of investigations.

Australian Associated Press