Crime gang implicated in a Breaking Bad-style cocaine smuggling ring

A crime gang has been implicated in a Breaking Bad-style cocaine smuggling ring using a chicken truck, police say.

A man was arrested in a joint police operation over syndicate linked to chicken truck drug smuggling. Picture: Australian Federal Police

A crime gang implicated in a Breaking Bad-style cocaine smuggling ring using a chicken truck is cooked, police say.

Two men - one allegedly a senior syndicate figure - have been detained in connection with the discovery of 120kg of cocaine in a truck containing frozen chickens and the subsequent seizure of another 350kg of drugs.

One of them is a 42-year-old Windsor man who was arrested in the operation on Monday.

Detectives from the Victoria Joint Organised Crime Task Force have been investigating since the 120kg of cocaine was found when the Sydney-bound rig was pulled over on the Hume Highway at Wallan in August.

The truck’s 23-year-old driver, from Narre Warren South, was arrested and charged with trafficking in a large commercial quantity of cocaine.

The inquiry led to the discovery of a crime ring importing drugs and using a number of “safe houses” for storing cocaine and methamphetamine.

Last Wednesday, police found another 50kg of cocaine at Cairnlea in Melbourne’s north-west.

That led to police identifying what was described as a drug safe house where 285kg of methamphetamine and 15kg of cocaine were confiscated, bringing the total weight of drugs seized to almost half a tonne.

Search warrants were carried out on Monday afternoon at Windsor, Southbank and Keysborough.

The 42-year-old Windsor man was arrested and, police say, evidence linking the syndicate to the high-level drug distribution was seized.

He has been charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of methamphetamine and cocaine.

Transporting drugs via his chicken truck, was a favourite methode of Breaking Bad meth king pin and fast food operator Gustavo “Gus” Fring.

Giancarlo Esposito plays Gustavo "Gus" Fring in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Picture: Getty Images

Victoria Police acting Commander Paul O’Halloran said the men arrested were part of an organised crime syndicate that

had brought “considerable harm to the Victorian community”.

“However, it’s not only about the drugs. The money they bring into these syndicates also helps

facilitate a myriad of other serious and violent offending. Time and time again we see the

impact illicit drugs have at all levels, whether that’s assaults, burglaries, drug driving, right

through to the health impacts,” Cdr O’Halloran said.

“We are sending a strong and clear message today to organised crime. We will not stop. We

will target you. We will disrupt the syndicates responsible for these imports.

Australian Federal Police Commander Raegan Stewart said the inquiry showed how drug smugglers used any product and method to move their

products around Australia.

“These are significant seizures taken from a syndicate we will allege was experienced, well-

resourced and proficient in their illegal trade – yet this operation shows how we could get one

step ahead of them,” Cdr Stewart said.

“The AFP and its law enforcement partners domestically and internationally are committed to

protecting Australians from harmful, illicit drug imports and unleashing maximum damage on

the criminal environment.

“Investigations into the criminal syndicate involved remain ongoing.”

The JOCTF is made up of members of the AFP, Victoria Police, the Australian Border Force, the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.