Western Australian police have charged an 18-year-old Perth man over an alleged series of targeted attacks on illicit tobacco retailers, including a firebombing at a shop in Baldivis.

According to a statement published by the Western Australian government on 15 October 2026, detectives from the Serious and Organised Crime Division allege that the man conspired to organise attacks on several stores while he was in Iraq. Police say the alleged scheme involved setting premises on fire and using threats or extortion against businesses. One incident under investigation occurred on 1 December 2025 at a retail premises on Settlers Avenue in Baldivis, south of Perth. Police allege the accused engaged an associate to firebomb the premises.

Investigators allege that on 22 December 2025, two other individuals attended the same premises and deliberately set fire to the building. Those three individuals have already been charged and convicted in connection with that incident, according to the government statement.

Police further allege that the 18-year-old received payments from retail store operators in exchange for protection from being targeted. These claims form part of an investigation into alleged organised criminal activity surrounding the illicit tobacco trade.

The accused, who is from Dianella in Perth's northern suburbs, was arrested on 16 September 2026 after returning to Australia. He has now been formally charged with several offences relating to the alleged attacks and associated activities. The charges include three counts of threatening with intent to gain a benefit, two counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, two counts of receiving, one count of selling a prohibited drug and one count of criminal damage by fire.

The allegations have raised concerns about the use of arson and intimidation against businesses. Firebombing can endanger shop workers, neighbouring retailers, nearby residents and emergency responders, even when a business is believed to be involved in illegal activity.

Police have been investigating targeted attacks on businesses across the Perth metropolitan area. The latest charges are part of that broader law-enforcement effort, although the allegations against this accused must be assessed separately from the convictions already recorded against other people.

The case also highlights the difficulty of investigating alleged offences when suspects and their associates may be operating across international borders. Police allege that the accused was overseas when some of the activity was organised; that claim does not itself establish guilt.

The accused was due to appear before Perth Magistrates Court on 15 October 2026. The charges remain allegations, and the court will determine the case through the usual legal process. The investigation concerns alleged criminal activity linked to illicit tobacco retailers, not a finding that every business in the sector is involved in wrongdoing.