Police have dismantled an organised crime syndicate allegedly involved in the importation and trafficking of methylamphetamine, illegal cigarettes and firearms.
The eight-month long investigation has resulted in police seizing more than 11kg of methylamphetamine, 2.8 million illegal cigarettes, 14 firearms, a stolen car, a boat, luxury jewellery and designer clothes.
Police will allege the syndicate imported the drugs from Spain and cigarettes from Dubai.
Several packages were allegedly sent via international freight to factories in Craigieburn and Epping, and a storage facility in Flemington.
The Australian Border Force detected the shipments in March and April and made subsequent reports to Victoria Police.
North West Metro Regional Crime Squad detectives – who had already been investigating the syndicate for allegedly trafficking firearms and drugs across Victoria – then began investigating the importation.
Investigators first swooped on 7 May, executing six search warrants across Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
Those arrested include:
• A 32-year-old Tullamarine man
• A 25-year-old Brunswick East woman
• A 27-year-old Wollert man
• A 27-year-old Tullamarine woman
• A 23-year-old Hadfield woman
All were charged with a range of drug trafficking offences and will appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 30 September.
The investigation into the alleged importation of drugs ramped up last Tuesday, with detectives laying a combined 100 further charges on the 32-year-old man and 25-year-old woman.
Among the charges are Commonwealth offences including attempting to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled substance and attempting to import tobacco products with the intention to defraud the revenue.
The man – who is facing 70 charges – was also hit with 26 counts of breaching parole.
Seven other people were arrested during 10 further search warrants between July and August.
This includes:
• A 39-year-old Sunbury man who was charged with 14 counts of prohibited person possessing a firearm, possessing a traffickable quantity of firearms and offences relating to the possession of tobacco and electronic cigarettes. He was bailed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 9 September.
• A 25-year-old Brunswick West woman who was charged with knowingly dealing in the proceeds of crime and dealing with property reasonable suspected of being the proceeds of crime. She was bailed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 30 September.
• A 27-year-old Wollert woman who is expected to be charged on summons with the destruction of evidence.
• An 18-year-old Essendon man who was charged with possessing methylamphetamine, possessing buprenorphine and three counts of failing to comply with an order. He was bailed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 30 September.
• A 24-year-old Hadfield man who is expected to be charged on summons with possessing the proceeds of crime.
• An 18-year-old Airport West man and 58-year-old Brunswick West woman who were interviewed and released pending further enquiries.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about drug or firearm trafficking is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to North West Metro Regional Crime Squad Detective Inspector Geoff Owen:
“It’s no secret that we are determined to make our state a hostile place for organised crime, especially those engaged in the importation of drugs and trafficking of firearms.
“We can only imagine the harm caused if these drugs and firearms made their way into the community.
“Our work does not stop here. In fact, those involved in the illicit drug and firearm trade should know that police have you in our sights.”
