Firebombings of Victorian tobacco shops surpass 100 as police detail meeting that sparked war

Police believe an attempt was made by crime figures to control market before ‘friction’ led to arson attacks

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An explosion of tobacco shop arson attacks in Victoria occurred after an underworld bid to control the price of illicit products failed, police believe.

It has been a year since Victoria police established the Lunar Taskforce to investigate a spate of arson attacks in the state. Police confirmed the number of attacks has surpassed 100, and was at 105 on Wednesday.