Comanchero bikie behind bars over alleged role in drug trafficking syndicate
A top-ranking bikie is among eight people jailed over their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking syndicate linked to shootings, arson and car thefts.
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A top-ranking Comanchero bikie will spend at least the next four months behind bars over his alleged role in a massive drug trafficking syndicate linked to two shootings and an arson.
The bikie is among eight people to be remanded by Echo Taskforce detectives following raids across Melbourne’s northwest last week.
Police will allege the 27-year-old Caroline Springs man played a key role in an international drug importation and trafficking operation in Victoria.
He has been charged with 18 offences including trafficking a drug of dependence, importing a commercial quantity of border controlled precursor and dealing in the proceeds of crime.
Six other men and a woman, aged 20 — 32, have also been charged with a total of 19 offences in connection to the drug syndicate.
The charges include trafficking a large quantity of 1,4 Butanediol, trafficking cocaine, car thefts and arson.
All eight will remain behind bars until their appearance at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on January 31 next year.
Drugs, cash and stolen cars were seized by detectives on September 11 and 12 as part of a 10-month drug importation and trafficking probe linked to the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gang.
A 27-year-old Caroline Springs man, who is alleged to be a Comanchero bikie, and a 25-year-old Caroline Springs woman were arrested by police on the evening of September 11.
Police swooped on properties in Caroline Springs, Aberfeldie, Greenvale, Hillside and Kew from 6am on September 12.
Three men were arrested including a 20-year-old Aberfeldie man, a 21-year-old Greenvale man, and a 30-year-old Kew man.
The syndicate has been linked to two non-fatal shootings and a vehicle arson in Reservoir in early June.
CCTV footage released by police shows a gunman in a bulletproof vest spray a Bray Street home with bullets on June 5.
The house was shot up twice, each time with five to 10 shots.
The shooter repeatedly kicked at the front door and shouted: “Open up you f---ing c---. Open up. Open up.”
Four people inside the home were uninjured.
The victim’s car was also set alight outside the home in a third attack.
The arrests were executed by detectives from Victoria Police Crime Command along with Australian Border Force, the Australian Federal Police and detectives from Victoria Police’s North West Metro region.
The investigation has been linked to the seizure of 1.975 tonnes of 1,4 Butanediol, 100kg of P2P, a precursor chemical used in the manufacture of methylamphetamine and amphetamine and more than 10kg of ketamine and analog narcotics.
The drugs were allegedly located at commercial premises in Campbellfield and Altona.
A 32-year-old Reservoir man and a 30-year-old Kew man were both charged with attempt to traffick and possess a large commercial quantity of 1,4 Butanediol in relation to the seizure.
Police today revealed a 21-year-old man was arrested in Broadmeadows on September 4 over the Reservoir vehicle arson.
A firearm was located during the arrest and is undergoing forensic testing.
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He was charged with prohibited person possess firearm and possess drug of dependence.
Echo Taskforce Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lloyd said organised crime groups pose huge dangers to the community.
“The links to the shootings and arson also highlight how often we see drugs and firearms intrinsically linked within these organised crime groups,” he said.
“Ultimately, this is a syndicate who have caused immense harm within Victoria — not only through the sale of drugs to the community but also through indiscriminate use of firearms.”
ABF Superintendent of Investigations for Victoria/Tasmania, Nicholas Walker, said the joint investigation had prevented a significant amount of harmful drugs reaching the streets of Victoria.
“The level of collaboration between State and Federal law enforcement partners has never been higher, and this is another great example of how we are successfully working together to target organised crime syndicates,” Superintendent Walker said.
Anyone with information is urged contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au