A local supermarket owner whose family business was targeted with an extortion attempt and ram-raid believed to be linked to the illicit tobacco wars fears more communities are at risk, with concerns organised crime groups are now turning to the increasingly dangerous illegal alcohol black market.
Janet Proposch today joins industry leaders, police and illicit trade experts at an urgent meeting called by Master Grocers Australia (MGA) to address the increasing threat of the illicit alcohol market in Australia.
“To go through this with illicit tobacco is hard enough and to now face it with illegal alcohol is really distressing and anxiety provoking because we fear for the safety of everyone. Everybody is at risk,” Ms Proposch said.
Master Grocers Australia CEO Martin Stirling called on governments to act now to shut down the illicit alcohol black market.
“The illicit tobacco wars are still going because governments failed to act swiftly. The warning signs are already there, and the lessons from tobacco show the cost of ignoring them,” he said.
“Lives are at risk, both in our member stores and across every Australian community.
“Family owned and operated grocery stores are the beating heart of their local communities. They are often among the biggest sponsors of local sports clubs, schools and community programs and when these hard working community grocers are under attack, the entire community suffers,” Mr Stirling said.
“We need all levels of government to establish a dedicated taskforce that will shut down this alarming, illicit booze black market – before it ends up like the out of control, deadly tobacco wars that have devastated Australian communities.
“This isn’t just about illegal alcohol. It’s about protecting lawful businesses, safeguarding consumers and preventing local communities from becoming collateral damage in another criminal black market,” Mr Stirling said.
“Police across Australia are doing their very best to protect MGA members and the wider community from this dangerous new black market, but they need dedicated resources to target organised crime groups pushing illegal alcohol,” Mr Stirling said.
Mr Stirling, and local supermarket owner Ms Proposch will join Victoria Police Detective Inspector Chris Murray and illicit market expert Rohan Pike at today’s urgent meeting to discuss the rise in black market liquor.
