Arabic version: توسيع عملية فينيكس في أنحاء ملبورن

According to ABC News, Victoria Police will expand Operation Phoenix, targeting extortion-related arsons, drive-by shootings and vehicle thefts linked to organised crime gangs. The operation, launched in July in Melbourne’s north-western suburbs, will extend to the CBD, Yarra and the city’s southern and eastern suburbs from Sunday.

Police said Operation Phoenix has made 236 arrests, with a significant number connected to organised crime and extortion-related offending. Officers will also be deployed to regional areas based on intelligence. Victoria Police is combining resources from Operation Trinity, previously focused on aggravated burglaries, with the Phoenix operation.

Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill said the combined operation would be larger and more agile in responding to established and emerging crime trends. He said police were focused on preventing harm and holding offenders to account, whether offences involved aggravated burglary, vehicle theft, arson attacks or drive-by shootings.

Police remain concerned about young offenders being directed by taskmasters to commit serious crimes for minimal financial gain. During a recent Phoenix patrol, officers arrested three youths aged 15, 16 and 17 after they were allegedly overheard discussing setting fire to a property at Greenvale. The arrests followed a pursuit in which a police vehicle was rammed.

Police have identified several online usernames of taskmasters allegedly orchestrating firebombings and extortions across Melbourne. Assistant Commissioner Hill said officers would continue pursuing those commissioning and directing offences, as well as those carrying out attacks. The force has linked its concerns to crime figures associated with jailed Iraqi crime lord Kazem “Kaz” Hamad.