Detectives from the Prahran Divisional Response Unit have dismantled an alleged cocaine and ketamine trafficking ring, arresting thirteen people, and seizing more than $1.4 million worth of drugs and proceeds of crime.
These arrests follow an intensive 10-month investigation into a sophisticated syndicate, which was allegedly responsible for trafficking a variety of drugs across metropolitan Melbourne.
Of those arrested, eight have been charged with trafficking commercial quantities of cocaine and ketamine – a charge that comes with a maximum 25 years in prison.
Police swooped on Monday, executing a series of warrants on addresses and vehicles across Melbourne, South Yarra, Richmond, Hawthorn, Flemington, Ascot Vale, North Melbourne, West Melbourne, and Tullamarine.
Police uncovered significant quantities of cocaine and ketamine hidden within the addresses and vehicles searched over the course of several hours on Monday.
This included a 100-gram bag of cocaine with an estimated street value of $40,000 that was allegedly thrown from a high-rise apartment onto the footpath of Bowen Crescent, Melbourne as police entered the property. This narrowly missed investigators standing on the ground.
A breakdown of items seized includes:
– Approximately 1kg of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $400,000.
– Approximately 520 grams of ketamine, with an estimated street value of $156,000.
– Approximately nine grams of methylamphetamine, with an estimated street value of
$2,700.
– Approximately 100 grams of cannabis, with an estimated street value of $2,500.
– Smaller quantities of other drugs, including steroids, prescription medication, and
psychedelic mushrooms.
– Seven cars, valued at approximately $390,000. This included a 2022 BWM X3, 2019
Mercedes Benz E63, 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan, 2017 Audi RS3, and a 2016 BWM 320I.
– An imitation handgun.
– $115,050 cash.
– Two Rolex watches valued at around $200,000.
– One silver bullion valued at around $140,000.
– Multiple identity documents in other names.
Those charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of cocaine and ketamine include:
– A 35-year-old Melbourne man.
– A 36-year-old Melbourne man.
– A 41-year-old Melbourne man.
– A 32-year-old Ascot Vale man.
– A 34-year-old South Yarra woman.
– A 30-year-old West Melbourne man.
– A 35-year-old Melbourne woman.
– A 67-year-old Melbourne woman.
Seven of the eight alleged offenders have been remanded ahead of a committal mention at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on 11 March 2025.
The 67-year-old Melbourne woman was granted bail, with her committal mention on the same date.
Five other people were arrested on the day, including a 34-year-old West Melbourne man charged with trafficking ketamine and a 19-year-old Hawthorn man charged with trafficking cannabis. A separate man and woman were charged with drug possession, while another man was arrested and released without charge.
The Prahran Divisional Response Unit were supported in the execution of Monday’s warrants by:
– Crime Investigation Units from Port Phillip, Stonnington, Melbourne, Yarra, and Hume.
– Divisional Response Units from Greater Dandenong, Moorabbin, Melbourne, and Box Hill.
– Uniform police from Prahran, as well as City of Port Phillip and Stonnington
Neighbourhood Policing Team and Crime Reduction Team.
– Major Drug Squad.
– Dog Squad.
– Other specialist resources, including CIRT and SOG.
– Joint Organised Crime Task Force.
– Australian Federal Police.
Quotes attributable to Prahran Divisional Response Unit Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Moreland
“Victoria Police has detectives in every part of the state intent on bringing down those who cause the most drug related harm in our community.
“The key lesson from investigations such as these is there is no such thing as easy drug money.
“A lavish lifestyle funded by drugs can change in the blink of an eye to several years in a prison cell.
“We also don’t stop once the arrests have been made -we seek the forfeiture of all proceeds of crime, so if an offender leave prison intending to recommence trafficking, they won’t do so from a position of financial strength.”
