Exclusive
Crime
Plot to steal body of gangland boss’ sister sparks revenge fears
A broken lift foiled an apparent attempt to steal the body of Notorious Crime Family boss George Marrogi’s sister, with the thieves instead making off with items from her coffin.
- by Chris Vedelago
Latest
Police probe Comanchero bikie link in firebombing attacks
An aggressive push by the Comancheros to control drug prices has sent the underworld into turmoil and caused investigators to expand their probe into a series of arson attacks across Melbourne.
- by Marta Pascual Juanola, Chris Vedelago and Lachlan Abbott
Exclusive
Organised crime
Gang feud behind Melbourne firebombings and car smash
The torching of the popular Sonsa Market in Collingwood has been linked to a string of nearly a dozen arson attacks across Melbourne’s suburbs.
- by Marta Pascual Juanola, Lachlan Abbott, Chris Vedelago and David Estcourt
Exclusive
Crime
Crooks hiding weapons caches to hand over in exchange for sentencing cuts
High-powered firearms and explosives are being exchanged for jail sentence cuts in a secret deal police and the legal fraternity say helps keep the public safe.
- by Chris Vedelago
Victorian barristers, judges visit PNG to train student lawyers
Victorian barristers and judges have spent time in Papua New Guinea providing training for the country’s student lawyers to help bolster PNG’s law and justice sector.
- by Chris Vedelago
Exclusive
Crime
‘Saddam Hussein’s Picasso’: Drug kingpin wanted to launder money but instead got a fake
The shadowy nature of the art market makes it ripe for exploitation by organised criminals, sparking calls for a shake-up of money-laundering and provenance rules.
- by Chris Vedelago and Marta Pascual Juanola
Gobbo seeking millions in secret lawsuit against Victoria Police
Documents released by the Supreme Court reveal barrister-turned-informer Nicola Gobbo has launched a lawsuit against Victoria Police, and alleges the force ruined her life and put her safety at risk.
- by Chris Vedelago and Cameron Houston
Exclusive
Crime
Supermarket arson prompts probe on link between crime syndicates, grocery industry
Three men in balaclavas reportedly broke into the popular Collingwood store with a sledgehammer, set it alight and fled in a silver SUV in the early hours of the morning.
- by Marta Pascual Juanola, Chris Vedelago and Lachlan Abbott
Updated
Fire
Supermarket fire was second attack on business director in five days
Two car fires in Fawkner a week ago are believed to be linked to the suspected arson attack on Sonsa Market in Collingwood on Thursday morning.
- by Lachlan Abbott and Chris Vedelago
Top legal minds urge DPP to let jury decide Gobbo and police guilt
Senior members of Victoria’s legal community have expressed dismay and confusion over the decision of the state’s top prosecutor not to bring charges against police over the Lawyer X scandal.
- by David Estcourt and Chris Vedelago
Graphic content
Waste
Dramatic vision captures moment one of Melbourne’s worst industrial fires erupted
The security footage shows a factory worker catch alight and run from the scene as the toxic chemical fire erupts. The four-day fire was one of Victoria’s worst industrial blazes and left a huge clean-up bill, which is yet to be paid.
- by Chris Vedelago