Detectives from the Major Drug Squad have charged nine people and seized drugs, firearms, swords, luxury handbags and over $750K in cash following an investigation into alleged drug trafficking by an Asian organised crime syndicate.
The investigation, which commenced in September 2022, will allege the syndicate had been trafficking large commercial quantities of methylamphetamine and heroin across Melbourne.
On Friday, 24 February, search warrants were executed at properties in Southbank, Deer Park, St Albans and Braybrook.
A 32-year-old Southbank man was charged with traffick commercial quantity of methylamphetamine.
He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 17 July.
A 35-year-old man from Deer Park was charged with possess drugs of dependence, and other weapons and explosives offences.
He was bailed to appear at the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on 21 August.
Police also seized a commercial quantity of what appears to be methylamphetamine, articles used in the preparation of drugs of dependence for sale and approximately $400,000 in cash, believed to be the proceeds of crime.
On Thursday, 22 June, searches were conducted at residential properties in Sunshine and Sunshine North.
A clandestine laboratory was located at the Sunshine North address.
A commercial quantity of what is believed to be methylamphetamine, precursor chemicals, approximately $100,000 cash and a 2020 Mercedes Benz GLC63 were also seized.
A 46-year-old Sunshine North man was charged with traffick commercial quantity methylamphetamine.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 15 September.
Over a five-day period from Monday, 10 to Friday, 14 July, search warrants were executed at properties in Albion, Braybrook and Kalkallo.
Five people were arrested and charged, including:
• A 35-year-old Albion man was charged with traffick commercial quantity of heroin. He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 3 October.
• A 32-year-old man from Braybrook was charged with traffick cocaine. He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 29 September.
• A 41-year-old man from Braybrook was charged with traffick methylamphetamine. He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 29 September.
• A 28-year-old Melbourne woman was charged with possess various drugs of dependence. She was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 2 October.
• A 25-year-old Forest Hill man was charged with traffick MDMA. He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 18 July.
Police subsequently seized a loaded handgun, ammunition, an imitation handgun, quantities of what appear to be heroin and methylamphetamine, six Samurai swords, luxury bags and cigarette lighters, as well as approximately $50,000 cash from the St Albans address.
Quantities of what appear to be methylamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, ketamine and MDMA, approximately $50,000 cash, an imitation firearm as well as cannabis plants being cultivated were seized from a Braybrook address.
At a storage facility in Braybrook, investigators seized quantities of what appear to be methylamphetamine, ketamine and MDMA.
What is believed to be heroin in both rock form and raw production form, ammunition and approximately $70,000 cash were seized from a Braybrook address.
On Monday (17 July), warrants were executed at two Southbank properties.
A 34-year-old Southbank man, alleged to be the leader of the syndicate, was charged with traffick commercial quantity drug of dependence.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 20 November.
Luxury bags and jewellery believed to be valued at over $100,000 were seized at one address, while a 2018 Porsche Macan and a small heroin press (located inside the Porsche) were seized from the other.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about illicit drug activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
