7 hours agoMon 29 Dec 2025 at 4:17am

The EZ Mart tobacco shop is boarded up after the ramming on Saturday morning, but is still trading. (ABC News)

In short:

A Swan Hill tobacco shop was rammed early Saturday morning.

In early December, a shakedown note was taped to the shop demanding the owner "contact the commission".

What's next?

Police are investigating after evidence suggests the offenders rammed the shop after a failed firebomb attempt.

A Swan Hill tobacco store has been rammed in a failed fire-bombing, which police believe is involved in the state's illegal tobacco wars between organised crime gangs.

Earlier in December, a note was left on the EZ Mart tobacco shop in the northern Victorian town of Swan Hill demanding the owner "contact the commission" by using the encrypted social media messaging app, WhatsApp.

Police say on Saturday morning, two men were inside the store about 1:50am when a Mazda CX-5 rammed the shop, causing extensive damage.

A note appeared on the EZ Mart tobacco shop in early December demanding the owner "contact the commission". (ABC News)

"We're just thankful that it wasn't firebombed because we believe that was their intent from evidence we've located, but obviously it didn't go to plan for them,"

Detective Sergeant Rob Goodman said.

Last week, detectives told the ABC that the owner had been uncooperative with police after the shakedown note appeared.

"We're yet to speak directly to the owner; we've tried through the employees without success," Sergeant Goodman said.

The tobacco shop is located on the main street in Swan Hill and is surrounded by other stores. (ABC News)

Police say nearby shops are innocent victims

The offenders on Saturday did not attempt to go inside the store and instead left town by driving south along the Murray Valley Highway.

This week's ramming follows other targeted hits on central and northern Victorian tobacco shops in Cohuna, Bendigo and Mildura.

"Our concern is that there are innocent victims here that could be harmed,"

Sergeant Goodman said.

The Cohuna fire knocked out power to all the shops along the street.

Police say no arrests have been made over Saturday's ramming, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Swan Hill police say they have obtained security camera footage and other promising leads.

Anyone with security camera footage or other information is asked to call CrimeStoppers.