Men charged over drugs, cash, luxury cars seized in syndicate smash
A MELBOURNE drug trafficking gang smashed in raids this week drove around town in “flashy” luxury sports cars and owned a golden pistol, federal police say.
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A MELBOURNE drug trafficking gang smashed in raids this week drove around town in “flashy” luxury sports cars and owned a golden pistol, federal police say.
Police say they seized about $4.4 million worth of methamphetamine and heroin and a 2018 Lamborghini Huracan sports car worth $400,000 in raids on properties in the western suburbs this week.
The Herald Sun understands Asian organised crime figures are behind the gang.
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Four men were this week charged with serious commercial drug-trafficking offences that carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. A fifth man faces a charge of dealing with proceeds of crime.
The drugs seized are believed to have both been imported from southeast Asia and manufactured locally.
The AFP says it seized 4.175kg of methamphetamine and 2.5kg of heroin with a total street value of $4.4 million in raids on 11 western suburbs properties over a week. The total value of confiscated assets exceeds $12 million.
Four properties, including a cannabis-growing house, $250,000 in cash, several luxury sports cars, a gold-coloured Brownie pistol, and a Smith and Wesson firearm, were among items seized.
AFP Acting Superintendent Julian Bianco said the arrested men owned “flashy” sports cars including the Lamborghini and a Mercedes sports coupe.
But he said one of the men had been too “frightened” to show off his fancy wheels, and only drove the car at night. “That’s when he was intercepted by police,” Supt Bianco said.
It will be alleged the gang stored drugs and cash at a safe house in Delahey and used encrypted phones to escape detection. Police claim two of the men operated legitimate businesses while running the “significant” drug ring.
Properties in Aberfeldie, Delahey, Footscray, Maidstone, Maribyrnong, St Albans, Sunshine North, Truganina and Yarraville were raided following an investigation which began in May.
AFP Victoria Commander Amanda Kates said she expected further arrests.
“This operation sends a clear message to those seeking to wreak havoc on our community with life-threatening illicit drugs. Not only could you spend your life behind bars, all your belongings — including your house, car, and anything else used in the commission of crime or bought with proceeds of crime — can be seized,” she said.
An AFP taskforce has spent three years investigating organised crime gangs importing crystal methamphetamine from China. More than 13,480kg of drugs and precursor chemicals have been seized.
Four men, aged 32 and 33, from Maidstone, Footscray, Delahey and Maribyrnong, have been remanded to face court on February 4 on commercial trafficking charges.
A fifth man, 33, from Truganina, was bailed on charges of dealing in the proceeds of crime and money suspected to be proceeds of crime.
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