Accused cocaine dealer known as ‘Chicken Man’ allegedly had 18 devices

Police allegedly seized 18 devices from an accused cocaine dealer known as “Chicken Man” after he was slapped with multiple charges in an organised crime swoop.

Police allegedly seized 18 devices from an accused coke dealer known as “Chicken Man” after he was charged in an organised crime swoop.

Wearing a blue sweater and shirt, Matthew Jones, 39, from Sale, was flanked by custody officers as he was brought into the dock of the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after spending his first ever night behind bars on remand.

Police allege he used the name “Chicken Man” online while importing and trafficking cocaine via encrypted messaging apps into Victoria.

Fans of the hit TV show Breaking Bad will remember “Chicken Man” as the nickname of fast food businessman and drug boss Gus Fring.

No details of the allegations against Mr Jones were aired during the brief administrative hearing and he did not apply for bail.

Prosecutors were granted 10 weeks to prepare a hand-up brief – four weeks longer than the usual allocation – to allow time for 18 electronic devices to be analysed and transcribed.

Seized drugs would also be forensically analysed.

Fans of the hit TV show Breaking Bad will remember ‘Chicken Man’ as the nickname of fast food businessman and drug boss Gus Fring. Picture: Screen Rant

Mr Jones’ lawyer said it was her client’s first time in custody, requesting he be seen by a custody nurse as he was withdrawing from opiates and had hearing difficulties.

He is facing 21 charges including importing and trafficking cocaine, possessing MDMA, possessing methylamphetamine and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail.

He was arrested on Wednesday morning by members of the VIPER Taskforce at Strathmore in Melbourne’s northwest

Properties in Sale, Silverleaves, Strathmore and Patterson Lakes were raided and investigators allegedly seizing cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA.

His arrest followed an investigation triggered by a coronial inquiry into a drug overdose.

VIPER Task Force Detective Inspector Craig Darlow said police would do everything possible to crack down on illegal drugs circulating in the community.

“The community can rest assured that we have teams of dedicated detectives working around the clock who are intent on targeting the drug dealers, traffickers, and manufacturers causing the most harm in our community,” he said.

“The repercussions of becoming involved in trafficking illicit drugs are life altering, with the maximum punishment life imprisonment.”

Mr Jones will return to court on March 28.