Police seize massive Lego haul in alleged money laundering sting

A whopping Lego haul has been seized and two people have been charged after a months-long probe into an alleged $27m money laundering racket.

Police have smashed a huge money-laundering operation involving more than $100,000 worth of Lego.

Monash Crime Investigation Unit detectives charged two people over the alleged $27m operation following an extensive 18-month investigation.

Search warrants were executed at properties in Nunawading and Glen Waverley on October 20.

Property including electronics and $100,000 worth of Lego suspected to be the proceeds of crime were seized at the scenes.

A caller to 3AW’s Rumour File reported the Lego boxes were unopened while multiple gift cards worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in value were also seized from the homes.

Victoria Police said a 37-year-old Nunawading man was charged with negligently deal with proceeds of crime and a 42-year-old Glen Waverley man was charged with theft.

Further charges are expected to be laid in the coming weeks.

Both men have been bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on April 1 next year.

It comes as five people living “quiet and unremarkable” lives in Melbourne’s suburbs were busted over one of Australia’s biggest money laundering operations last week.

Specialist squads, including the anti-gangland Purana Taskforce, spent the past 12 months investigating a sophisticated criminal syndicate alleged to have laundered $62m through various bank accounts.

On October 14 police raided nine homes and businesses in Burwood, Box Hill, Blackburn, Caulfield North, Oakleigh and Endeavour Hills.

Several million dollars in cash, a Porsche, BMW X5, Toyota Landcruiser and Mercedes Coupe C200 were seized.

Police also seized a cash counter, electrical equipment, jewellery, illicit tobacco and high-end clothing and sporting memorabilia.

Five people were arrested, including a 32-year-old Burwood man, 38-year-old Box Hill man, 32-year-old Blackburn man, 36-year-old Endeavour Hills man and 31-year-old Caulfield North woman.

The Burwood, Box Hill and Blackburn men were all charged with Commonwealth money laundering and structuring charges as well as state proceeds of crime charges.

The Endeavour Hills man and Caulfield North woman were both released and expected to be charged on summons.