Detectives from the Major Drug Squad have today arrested 10 people as part of a seven-month investigation into a Malaysian syndicate linked to trafficking commercial quantities of heroin.
With assistance from Springvale Divisional Response Unit, Box Hill Divisional Crime Team and the Dog Squad, warrants were executed early this morning.
Six residential addresses were searched in Box Hill, Springvale, Braybrook (3) and Dingley Village.
Police seized a number of items from the addresses, including a large commercial quantity of heroin, a large sum of cash, a Lexus and an Audi, as well as a large number of luxury goods including designer handbags, watches and jewellery, suspected of being proceeds of crime.
Eight men and two women were arrested, including:
• A 29-year-old Box Hill man
• A 27-year-old Springvale man
• A 49-year-old Dingley Village woman
• A 31-year-old Braybrook man
• A 24-year-old Braybrook man
• A 23-year-old Braybrook man
• A 20-year-old Braybrook man
• A 30-year-old Braybrook man
• A 36-year-old Box Hill woman
• A 53-year-old Braybrook man
All will now be interviewed in relation to the offences of trafficking large commercial quantity drug of dependence and possess proceeds of crime.
Police will allege that those arrested have been involved in a syndicate of Malaysian nationals trafficking large commercial quantities of heroin.
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.auExternal Link
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Jim Sullivan, Major Drug Squad:
“This result should serve as a warning to criminals who attempt to target our community.
“Victoria Police is determined to make our state a hostile place for organised crime, particularly those involved in the importation and manufacture of drugs.
“As this investigation shows, we are often dealing with organised crime syndicates that have immense reach both nationally and internationally.
“Victoria Police will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who bring that harm to our state are held to account, and that those serious and organised crime groups involved in the trafficking of illicit drugs are strongly and deliberately targeted.”
