Accused Chapel St nightclub drug dealer accused of using rideshare operators to deliver drugs to clients

A remote-controlled false bookshelf helped police uncover an alleged Chapel St nightclub drug dealer, accused of using rideshare operators to run cocaine and meth to customers on the entertainment strip.

A Chapel St nightclub drug dealer is accused of using rideshare operators to run cocaine and meth to his customers on the entertainment strip.

Detectives who raided his house are alleged to have found a remote-controlled false bookshelf, behind which was a vast stash of drugs and weapons.

The 43-year-old from the Arkle St, Prahran, property is suspected of running a drugs supermarket providing cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA and 1,4-Butanediol, a dangerous industrial solvent sold as GHB.

It will be alleged in court that the man had distributed a drug menu to clubbing clients and others visiting bars in the area.

The list carried what was available, along with weights and prices.

Police arrested a 43-year-old Prahran man.

Those wanting to buy did so via an encrypted messaging app.

Police say orders were taken straight to venues, collected from the man’s house or delivered by rideshare drivers oblivious to what was going on.

Detectives from the Prahran divisional response unit, with assistance from the critical incident response team and the dog squad searched the man’s home where they uncovered the remote-controlled bookshelf.

They say behind it was methamphetamine with a street value of more than $16,000, $11,000 of cocaine, 1,4-Butanediol worth $10,000 and $6000 in MDMA.

Steroids, and prescription drugs were also confiscated.

Police allegedy found a stash of drugs and weapons behind a fake bookshelf.

An imitation Glock handgun, a set of knuckledusters, a spring-loaded knife, a slingshot, an axe, an extendible baton, fireworks and electronic devices were uncovered.

The resident has been charged with 30 offences, including trafficking and possessing cocaine, ecstasy, methylamphetamine, ketamine, 1,4-Butanediol, and Diazepam, criminal proceeds matters, offending while on bail, weapons and explosives breaches, possession of a false document and failing to provide police with a phone PIN.

He had been remanded to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ court on July 15.

The man has been remanded in custody.

A 33-year-old South Melbourne woman was arrested at the house and given a caution for possessing cocaine.

Acting detective Sergeant Scott Ishac of Prahran DRU said the accused man should not have been surprised at the discovery of the false bookshelf.

“Our investigators are highly skilled at finding inconsistencies in properties where drugs or weapons could be hidden. So, if you think you can outsmart us, you’re wrong,” he said.