Real estate agent Giuseppe “Joe” Tumino allegedly ‘key facilitator’ in mafia drug gang

A suburban real estate agent has been arrested for allegedly securing rental homes an Albanian drug ring could use as cannabis grow houses.

Suburban real estate agent Giuseppe “Joe” Tumino was arrested on Thursday and is accused of being a “key facilitator” for an Albanian organised drug ring.

An Australian Federal Police investigation stemming from last year’s Operation Ironside raids led to the 59-year-old’s arrest on Thursday.

Police will allege Tumino, of Malvern East, was a “key facilitator” for the gang, securing them rental homes the gang could use as cannabis grow houses.

A suburban real estate agent has been arrested over alleged links to an Albanian drug ring. Picture: Australian Federal Police

At least two of the properties Tumino rented to the syndicate were owned by overseas investors.

Police allege Tumino hand-picked the properties because their owners would not inspect them.

Tumino faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court for a brief filing hearing on Friday morning.

He is on police bail, and is charged with supporting a criminal organisation.

The investigation into the alleged syndicate began in April 2021, with police alleging a 36-year-old Aspendale Gardens man was its leader.

Police allege Tumino hand-picked the properties because their owners would not inspect them. Picture: Australian Federal Police

Police first raided homes and seized cash, drugs, designer watches and an encrypted phone relating to the alleged syndicate in June last year, arresting two suspected syndicate members with the help of Victoria Police.

Two more arrests followed in August.

Messages intercepted on the AN0M app, which was being monitored by the AFP and FBI, link the syndicate to the Albanian Mafia.

AFP Sergeant Glenn Tankard said it was likely the illicit drugs seized during raids would have been distributed across Victoria by criminals associated with serious and organised crime.

Giuseppe ‘Joe’ Tumino has been arrested. Picture: Facebook

“Information from Operation Ironside has seen the AFP, with assistance from Victoria Police, dismantle yet another alleged criminal syndicate, wiping out its entire operations including a network of illicit cannabis grow houses across Melbourne,” Sergeant Tankard said.

“We allege the persons arrested are significant syndicate members with ties to Albanian organised crime, who undertook enormous planning to execute their criminal operations to grow and cultivate cannabis with the help of professional facilitators.”

Tumino returns to court on November 25.

The AFP has repeatedly stated they will target “trusted insiders” of organised crime groups, including seemingly legitimate businesspeople who aid criminals.