Two Melbourne men have been sentenced to a combined 19 years, 6 months in jail after being arrested in 2019 for their roles in a Victorian drug trafficking syndicate.
The men were found in possession of methamphetamine, heroin and butanediol (commonly known as ‘liquid fantasy’) during the Australian Federal Police (AFP) search warrants, which also uncovered a loaded pistol concealed under a pillow in a Docklands apartment.
In April 2019, the AFP launched Operation Danut, an investigation into to a syndicate trafficking both methamphetamine and heroin in Melbourne.
On 4 June 2019, three simultaneous warrants were executed in the suburbs of Docklands and Sunshine North. A 35-year-old Sunshine North man and a 36-year-old Docklands man were arrested.
At the Docklands apartment, the AFP seized: 2,747.2g pure methamphetamine, 324.1g pure heroin, six bottles containing Butanediol, $318,170 cash, multiple scales, a cash counting machine, drug paraphernalia, acetone (alleged to be for the purpose of ‘washing’ methamphetamine), ammunition and a loaded Beretta brand pistol which was located under a pillow on the bed.
From the Sunshine North home the AFP seized: drug paraphernalia, a red hydraulic press frame (alleged to be involved in the pressing of heroin) and two block moulds which tested positive for traces of heroin.
The seized amounts of drugs had a potential street value of:
- Methamphetamine – up to $1.9 million;
- Heroin – up to $518,500;
- 1,4 Butanediol – up to $14,125.
In addition to the seized drugs, Operation Danut, revealed the two men had trafficked and sold more than a kilogram of meth and more than 170g of heroin prior to being arrested.
The 35-year-old Sunshine North man pleaded guilty to:
- One count of trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to sections 302.2(1) and 311.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
- One count of trafficking a marketable quantity of a controlled drug, namely heroin, contrary to sections 302.3(1) and 311.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
- Failing to comply with an order made under section 3LA Crimes Act 1914 (Cth)
He was sentenced to 10 years and 9 months with a non-parole period of 6 years and 9 months.
The 36-year-old Docklands man pleaded guilty to:
- One charge of trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, namely
methamphetamine, contrary to sections 302.2(1) and 311.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
- One count of trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, namely
methamphetamine, contrary to sections 302.2(1) and 311.2(1) of the Criminal
Code (Cth).
- One count of trafficking a marketable quantity of a controlled drug, namely heroin,
contrary to sections 302.3(1) and 311.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
- One count of Possessing a drug of dependence, namely 1,4 Butanediol, contrary to section 73(1) of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic).
- One count of non-prohibited person possessing a general category handgun without a licence contrary to section 7(1) of the Firearms Act 1996 (Vic).
- One count of failing to comply with an order made under section 3LA Crimes Act 1914 (Cth)
He was sentenced to 8 years and 9 months with a non-parole period of 5 years and 3 months.
