St Kilda man accused of selling drugs arrested in pre-dawn raid

A man accused of selling 1,4-Butanediol to vulnerable residents has been arrested during a pre-dawn raid at his Barkly St apartment. Watch the video.

An alleged drug trafficker accused of selling potentially “deadly” gear to vulnerable locals has been arrested during a pre-dawn raid at his St Kilda apartment.

Police allege the hooded man had been trafficking large quantities of 1,4-Butanediol, a liquid substance which has commonly been used as a ‘date rape’ drug.

The Herald Sun was there when officers swooped on his Barkly St apartment as part of an ongoing police sting targeting those buying and selling the drug in the St Kilda area.

The handcuffed 26-year-old was tossed into a police vehicle as officers hauled several bags of evidence — including about 500mL of 1-4 Butanediol — into waiting vehicles.

The drug, commonly referred to as ‘drinks’, ‘bute’ or ‘one four’, is taken in liquid form and slows down vital cognitive functions of the body which can cause users to lose consciousness.

It holds a street value of up to $30 per millilitre and can be purchased in bulk for as little as $2000 per litre.

An accused drug trafficker was arrested at his St Kilda home. Picture: David Crosling

Detectives allegedly uncovered quantities of 1,4-Butanediol, meth and cannabis. Picture: David Crosling

Police on Wednesday morning also allegedly uncovered quantities of meth, cannabis, MDMA and other pills, largely stored in the St Kilda man’s study.

The gear seized held an estimated street value of more than $16,000.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Ishac said the emergence of 1-4 Butanediol in the St Kilda area was a serious concern for police given the potentially critical side effects.

Sen Sgt Ishac said the hooded man’s arrest was a major win, particularly for vulnerable members of the community.

“Given his location is quite close to the St Kilda night-life precinct is quite concerning to us. He is definitely someone we’d like to get off the streets,” he said.

“We’re finding that a lot of the people who are trafficking this drug of dependence are buying it by the litre and in larger quantities to then on sell.

“It’s quite dangerous if you do consume it … if you consume more, not thinking that the effects have taken place, that’s when it can be quite deadly.”

Detectives preparing to raid the man’s property early on Wednesday morning. Picture: David Crosling

They seized about $16,000 worth of gear. Picture: David Crosling

The hooded 26-year-old was on Wednesday afternoon charged with trafficking 1,4-Butanediol, methylamphetamine and cannabis.

He was also charged over his alleged possession of several drugs of dependence, possessing Schedule 4 poisons, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.

He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on June 30.

Another man, 29, was arrested at the unit and has since been charged with possessing cannabis.

The man was hit with a series of drugs charges. Picture: David Crosling

Police have been conducting an ongoing drug operation in St Kilda. Picture: David Crosling

The arrests formed part of a major police operation where they seized more than $130,000 worth of drugs between September last year and March this year in St Kilda alone.

Force intelligence suggests ‘bute’ accounted for about $100,000 of that figure after more than 33L of the drug was eliminated.

Nearly 100 people allegedly involved in the drug trade were arrested in St Kilda last year as part of the ongoing operation targeting users and sellers on Acland, Carlisle and Fitzroy streets.