Tullamarine fridge mechanic Michael Plummer charged with trafficking meth at hotel
A Tullamarine refrigeration mechanic has been accused of running a large-scale meth racket at an Essendon North hotel.
North West
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A Tullamarine refrigeration mechanic was allegedly nabbed with a stack of meth, bute, cash and scales at a hotel.
Michael Plummer, 29, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of meth.
Plummer was arrested after police intercepted his vehicle in Melbourne’s northwest on April 8 this year.
Investigators allegedly seized meth, 1,4 butanediol, three phones, cash and a hotel room key for Summer Inn Apartments in Essendon North.
Police then raided Plummer’s Tullamarine home where they allegedly seized 60 grams of meth, cannabis, $6000 cash, three swords, Oxy tablets, a heat sealer machine, heat seal bags, bute and a cash counter.
Plummer’s Tullamarine home was also kitted out with an “extensive” CCTV system, the court was told.
Police later swarmed room 110 at Summer Inn Apartments.
Investigators allegedly seized more than half-a-kilo of meth, fraud documents, Xanax, Valium, cocaine, digital scales, pepper spray and USBs which contained instructions on how to make fake IDs.
Police also seized multiple driver’s licences, Visa cards and Medicare cards and computer software including Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
Eastern Region Crime Squad acting Sergeant Jacinta Graham told the court police pieced their investigation together by trawling through several days of CCTV footage obtained from the hotel.
Acting-Sergeant Graham said Plummer was observed on the footage paying for and receiving his hotel room key.
Investigators also observed several people including Plummer come and go from the room at the Keilor Rd hotel.
Police also allegedly found a fake ID in Plummer’s car which was identical to a fake ID located in the kitchen of the hotel room.
It’s alleged Plummer made prior bookings at the hotel with fake ID and always paid in cash.
In total, police allegedly seized more than 700 grams of meth and almost 150 grams of GHB-mirror drug bute.
The court heard Plummer worked as a refrigeration mechanic.
Plummer, who applied for bail, submitted via his legal team that he would live with his mother if released from custody.
The court was told Plummer’s mum would cough up a $15,000 surety for her son and he would also seek drug rehabilitation.
Acting-Sergeant Graham opposed bail telling the court she believed Plummer will continue to traffick if bailed.
Magistrate Ross Maxted, who refused bail, said it “seemed” Plummer had “not changed his ways” and rehab had “little impact”.
Magistrate Maxted also said it was “clear” Plummer was “setting up a commercial trafficking business”.
Plummer, who jumped up from his seat and banged on the door after not waiting for Magistrate Maxted’s decision, will face court at a later date.
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