Crime gangs import legal chemical to make cheap and deadly imitation meth
Crime gangs are deploying Breaking Bad methods and exploiting legal loopholes to mass-produce a new “imitation” meth, which is cheaper to produce but more hazardous.
South East
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Criminals are using a legally imported chemical to flood Melbourne streets with a cheap, potent and dangerous new “imitation” methamphetamine.
The preferred ingredient for local drug cooks who produce meth in suburban clandestine labs is pharmaceutical chemical “ISO”.
According to Victoria Police, criminals use ISO (N-isopropylbenzylamine) because its cheaper.
Crooks have also learned from their overseas counterparts how ISO can be manufactured into crystal – the Holy Grail of meth.
The Victoria Police Clandestine Laboratory Squad confirmed it would continue to monitor ISO after the “at risk” chemical was seized during several recent drug raids.
“The use of ISO as a chemical to manufacture methamphetamine simply enables criminal syndicates to reap greater profits from their activity,” a police spokesman said.
“Crystal methamphetamine is the most potent of the amphetamine class of drugs and is generally stronger, more addictive and causes more harm in the community.
“Although N-isopropylbenzylamine has a legitimate yet limited use within the pharmaceutical industry, the majority of chemicals involved in the manufacturing of drugs are highly volatile, explosive or harmful in nature.
The revelations came after members of a crime gang who plotted a Breaking Bad scheme to produce crystal meth with legally imported ISO were sentenced in the County Court.
Mastermind Dennis Vassallo, Pakenham horse vet Lawrence McArthur, son Danny Vassallo and Victoria O’Neil were all nabbed after a lengthy surveillance operation.
The Clandestine Laboratory Unit launched “Operation Hacksaw” in February 2017 after McArthur ordered 500lt of ISO through his vet business.
Investigators intercepted 22,000 phone calls in which the gang discussed options on how to turn the ISO into crystal meth.
These included an option to seek advice from overseas chemical experts.
Vassallo’s son said it was a “game changer” when his dad told him McArthur could convert the ISO into “the grouse” - a code for meth.
He estimated the ISO could be worth up to $10,000 per kilo when converted to crystal.
Vassallo and co also considered selling their ISO to other criminals.
The intercepted calls indicated McArthur had “knowledge of drug manufacturing techniques” and the “chemicals and equipment” to convert ISO into crystal.
McArthur – who received the ISO in July 2017 – agreed his Pakenham property would be the “main location for storing, processing and supplying others with the ISO”.
Police raided Victorian and South Australian properties linked to the gang on February 8, 2018 before the ISO could be manufactured into meth.
The court heard ISO is considered a “visually similar imitation” to meth.
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Judge Michael McInerney, this month, sentenced Vassallo and co after they all pleaded guilty to possess substance, material, document or equipment for trafficking in a drug of dependence.
Vassallo, 55, who had spent 314 days in custody, was sentenced to 18 months’ jail.
McArthur, 73, was sentenced to time served – 378 days – and a two-year community correction order.
O’Neil, 40, was sentenced to time served – 47 days – and fined $2000.
Danny Vassallo, 30, was sentenced to time served – 20 days – and a three-year community correction order.