Police expand operation targeting Melbourne arsons and extortion

Police operation targeting arsons and extortion to expand across Melbourne's suburbs In short: Victoria Police will expand Operation Phoenix, which targets arson attacks and extortion linked to organised crime gangs. The operation has run in Melbourne's north-west but will be expanded to the CBD and south-east from Sunday. Police remain concerned about young offenders being directed by taskmasters linked to tobacco kingpin Kazem Hamad. Victoria Police is expanding an operation targeting extortion-related arsons, drive-by shootings and vehicle thefts that have plagued Melbourne's suburbs in recent months. The expansion is partly driven by the force's concerns about the increasing exploitation of young offenders to carry out serious crime on behalf of organised crime gangs. The move comes amid reported infighting within the criminal empire of jailed Iraqi crime lord Kazem "Kaz" Hamad. Hamad's gang is believed to be driving the wave of firebombings and shootings. Operation Phoenix was launched in July, targeting crime in Melbourne's north-western suburbs with overnight patrols. Victoria Police said it had resulted in 236 arrests, with a significant number of those related to organised crime and extortion-related offending. The operation will be extended to the CBD and Yarra, as well as the city's southern and eastern suburbs. Officers will also be deployed to regional areas based on intelligence. Victoria Police is rolling resources from Operation Trinity — which targeted aggravated burglaries — into Operation Phoenix. Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill said the tactics used by both operations had already proven successful. "Operation Phoenix has delivered significant results since its launch, and that's why we're expanding it across metropolitan Melbourne," he said. "By bringing Operation Trinity into Phoenix, we're creating a larger, more agile operation with the flexibility to respond to both established and emerging crime trends. "Whether it's an aggravated burglary, vehicle theft, arson attack or drive-by shooting, our focus is the same: preventing harm and holding offenders to account." Police command remains concerned about the number of young offenders being directed to commit crimes by taskmasters, often for minimal financial gain. Officers conducting a recent Operation Phoenix patrol arrested three youths, aged 15, 16 and 17, after they were overheard allegedly discussing setting fire to a property at Greenvale. The youths were arrested after a pursuit during which a police vehicle was rammed. Police recently identified several online usernames of taskmasters allegedly orchestrating the wave of firebombings and extortions across Melbourne. In July, Operation Eclipse detectives charged 20-year-old Jesse Hadchiti with being a key middleman responsible for co-ordinating some of the attacks connected to bars and restaurants. Police alleged he had up to 2,000 potential offenders at his disposal to commit crimes. Earlier this week, the ABC reported infighting had broken out within the gang of jailed Iraqi crime lord Kazem "Kaz" Hamad because a key lieutenant wanted to seize control of the cartel's army of dedicated foot soldiers. Assistant Commissioner Hill said police would continue to pursue those pulling the strings behind the scenes. "As crime trends change, so does our response. We're directing our resources where they can have the greatest impact on community safety. "We're targeting everyone involved, from those commissioning and tasking the crime, to those carrying out the attacks. There will be no place for offenders to hide." The expanded patrols as part of Operation Phoenix will begin on Sunday. [Image text:] Police Police Police