Malaysian drug syndicate: Yong Cheng, Jimmy Lang, Khai Mong, Thang Nguyen, Wei Teoh, Janet Tran

Members of a Malaysian drug syndicate operating out of Melbourne’s western suburbs have been taken down in a massive police sting unearthing drugs, luxury goods and gold.

Thang Nguyen outside the County Court on Monday, October 16, after being arrested as part of Operation Kingfisher that Victoria Police launched in 2021 to identify drug dealing in Melbourn’s western suburbs.

Luxury handbags, watches and shoes, jewellery and gold — as well as a massive stash of drugs — have been uncovered after police took down six people involved with a Malaysian drug syndicate

Yong Cheng, Jimmy Lang, Khai Mong, Thang Nguyen, Wei Teoh, Janet Tran pleaded guilty to a swag of charges in the Victoria County Court on Monday.

The six were arrested as part of Operation Kingfisher that Victoria Police launched in 2021 to identify drug dealing in Melbourne’s western suburbs.

Police recovered more than $600,000 in cash which were proceeds of crime, more than four kilograms of the about 14kg of heroin the Director of Public Prosecutions believes was trafficked, and other items, during pre-dawn raids last year.

Luxury handbags, watches and shoes, jewellery and gold were also seized.

Mong, a 73-year-old chef, pleaded guilty to heroin trafficking, and possession of cannabis and methamphetamine.

Cheng, 28, a plasterer admitted to possession of heroin and meth while 29-year-old Lang from Port Phillip pleaded guilty to charges of trafficking in morphine and dealing in proceeds of crime. They were $398,000 in cash and jewellery and gold items valued at $41,348.

He further dealt in eight luxury watches worth $128,050, 49 luxury handbags worth $48,000 and $1500 on three pairs of luxury shoes.

The police raids turned up a massive stash of drugs.

Wei Teoh, 30, a truck driver fessed up to charges of heroin and meth trafficking, possession of meth and cannabis.

Janet Tran, 50, admitted to charges of heroin trafficking and dealing in $19,500 in proceeds of crime.

Retiree Nguyen, 73, is guilty on one charge of heroin trafficking.

Police unearthed more than 45 separate transactions of drug dealing- the vast majority of which was heroin.

Prosecutor Michel Wilson told court Teoh was identified as a person of particular interest who trafficked about 14kg of heroin and 800 grams of meth.

Lang was Teoh’s trusted associate and co-principal and both worked with a Malaysian national to sell heroin in block form, Wilson said.

The superior grade of heroin was known as 168 which sold at between $128,000 and $140,000 “per pair" and the lower grade was called 175 that fetched between $115,000 and $130,000.

Teoh acted as the sales manager who sought out customers, dealt with complaints, promoted the “product”, negotiated and set prices, and collected payment. Lang was the production and warehouse manager, responsible for managing a “safe house” in Melbourne- a modern townhouse with a single garage door and residence next door. They had Another house on Royal Parade.

Lang arranged large quantities of sourced heroin to be refined and pressed using a hydraulic presser and repackaged into fresh blocks.

Police uncovered a large stash of cash during their raids.

Teoh in his sales role would use brokers to identify potential customers to facilitate the sale of large quantities of heroin. Tran was one such broker who used her contacts within the community to arrange other drug syndicates. She was referred to as “Sister” or “Elder sister”.

Tran also maintained relationships with several commercial level drug traffickers who’d source large quantities from Teoh and Lang. Mong was one such trafficker who also acted as a mentor and an adviser to Teoh regarding sourcing and distribution of drugs. Mong was referred to as an “older brother”, or “uncle”.

Cheng worked under Teoh’s direct control and drove a black Lexus. Cheng was a dedicated driver for Teoh and Lang and was actively involved in delivering drugs, collecting money and assisting Lang in the preparation of drugs for sale

Police intercepted 2.1kg of heroin from Nguyen on May 11, 2022 on the northern outskirts of Melbourne. The drug was pressed into six, 350g box inside the centre console which had been dismantled to accommodate the heroin.

Warrants were executed across Melbourne suburbs, including Box Hill, Springvale, Braybrook and Dingley Village, and the six arrested.

A large number of mobile phones were also seized as part of the police operation.