维多利亚州面临严峻的有组织犯罪问题，其中非法烟草市场已成为犯罪集团的主要控制领域。[1]该州约有1400家非法烟草店，每晚数家遭遇纵火攻击。[1]纵火、勒索、抢车和债务催收等犯罪活动猖獗，有组织犯罪集团通过垄断非法烟草市场来募集资金，并招募青少年参与犯罪活动。[1]
调查记者Nick McKenzie和Chris Vedelago长期曝光该州的腐败和犯罪问题，推动了前州长Jacinta Allan的下台。[1]新任州长Ben Carroll上台后首先召集皇家调查委员会，以应对日益加重的犯罪危机。[1]警察总长Mike Bush公布了应对警力不足的计划，承诺到2028年通过开设两所地区训练学院填补1550个警察职位空缺。[1]
在重大案件方面，犯罪头目Kazem"Kaz"Hamad在伊拉克被判终身监禁。[1]前犯罪头目Tony Mokbel因部分定罪被污染而获释，仍有400万澳元资产扣押令未执行，已扣押5500万澳元。[1]此外，调查记者McKenzie还曾报道商人Mick Gatto从大型建设项目分包商获得数百万美元，其住宅遭警方搜查但其后获释放，未受指控。[1]
Victoria faces a deepening organized crime crisis, with investigators uncovering widespread criminal networks operating across the state.[1] The situation has prompted newly appointed Premier Ben Carroll to launch a royal commission inquiry as a first priority response.[1]
Criminal enterprises are exploiting multiple sectors with alarming scale. Victoria harbors approximately 1,400 illicit tobacco retailers, with several targeted by arson attacks nightly.[1] Organized crime groups have consolidated control over the illegal tobacco market while recruiting teenagers into their operations.[1] Investigating journalists Nick McKenzie and Chris Vedelago have documented patterns of extortion, car theft, and debt collection violence tied to these networks, their reporting ultimately contributing to the departure of the previous premier, Jacinta Allan.[1]
High-profile offenders present ongoing complications for law enforcement. Kazem "Kaz" Hamad, a crime boss, received a life sentence in Iraq,[1] while former criminal leader Tony Mokbel has been released despite partial convictions facing contamination issues; authorities hold a $4 million asset seizure order against him, though $55 million has already been frozen.[1] Journalist McKenzie has also reported that developer Mick Gatto received millions of dollars from subcontractors on major construction projects—his residence was searched by police but he was released without charges.[1]
To address the workforce gap in law enforcement, Police Commissioner Mike Bush plans to fill 1,550 vacant police positions by 2028 through two new regional training academies.[1]