Tobacco wars: Detectives charge 23-year-old man ‘linked to criminal network’ after alleged crime, arson spree

An alleged plot to have a man shot in the leg and another arson attack linked to the illicit tobacco trade have been thwarted by police. Investigators from the serious and organised crime division arrested and charged Hadi Saad amid allegations he procured others to extort and threaten businesses through arson attacks, criminal damage and a conspiracy to shoot someone between July and February. Mr Saad faced Northbridge Magistrates Court on Saturday, charged with 11 offences, which include three arson charges, four counts of criminal damage and three conspiracy charges related to plots of damage or violence. The 23-year-old limped his way into the dock during his first appearance and was seen shaking his head when brief details of his alleged offending were read to him by the magistrate. Mr Saad was told that on January 26, he allegedly conspired with another individual to commit an act of grievous bodily harm by shooting someone in the leg for a payment of $40,000. The magistrate said it was further alleged that he procured others to firebomb a Midland Tobacconist on Great Eastern Highway, on November 24. Police have already charged two people over allegations they torched the business. When reading the charges to Mr Saad, the magistrate said he was also accused of burgling Seabreeze Mini Mart in Mandurah on July 12 before procuring someone to damage the store on the same day. It was further alleged that he conspired to commit arson at a business in Kelmscott while also procuring others to damage a Rockingham business, roller doors at Timberlane Village Delicatessen in Ballajura and the wall of a business in Beechboro. A police spokeswoman said Mr Saad was allegedly linked to an “established criminal network” and “orchestrated and enabled a number of serious burglary, criminal damage and fire-related incidents targeting illicit tobacco stores across the Perth metropolitan area”. “The offences are alleged to have occurred in the period between July 2025 and February 2026,” she said. Mr Saad, who nodded on some occasions to suggest he understood the allegations, was represented by a private lawyer on Saturday. No application for bail was made and the the matter was adjourned until April 23 to match up with other charges currently before the court. The police squad made the significant arrest as part of Taskforce Maverick, which was established in 2025 to combat a sharp rise in arson attacks and violence perpetrated by criminal networks with links to the illicit tobacco trade. Police have previously warned business owners that criminal syndicates are known to use extortion and threats of criminal damage towards anyone who refuses to comply with their demands, which may include shutting down shops or requests to sell their products.