Five people charged after massive Malaysian syndicate investigation

Five people have been charged after luxury cars, designer handbags, drugs and cash were seized in pre-dawn raids across Melbourne’s east.

Five people have been charged in connection to a Malaysian syndicate, following a seven-month investigation from Major Drug Squad detectives.

Luxury cars, Rolex watches, loose diamonds, designer handbags, large sums of cash and commercial quantities of various drugs were among the goods seized by police on Tuesday morning.

Police with help from the dog squad searched six properties in total.

Ten people were arrested across Melbourne suburbs, including Box Hill, Springvale, Braybrook and Dingley Village.

A 27-year-old Braybrook man was charged with trafficking large commercial quantities of heroin and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, and will face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tonight.

A 29-year-old Box Hill man was charged with trafficking large commercial quantities of heroin and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime.

A 27-year-old Springvale man and a 49-year-old Dingley Village woman were charged with trafficking large commercial quantities of heroin.

All three have been remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on September 26.

A 72-year-old Queensland man was also charged on May 12 with trafficking large commercial quantities of heroin.

Seven further people are expected to be charged on summons with various drug and possess proceeds of crime-related offences.

Footage was shared from the arrest of two men from Braybrook.

Ten people were arrested in total.

Police will allege that those arrested have been involved in a syndicate of Malaysian nationals trafficking large commercial quantities of heroin.

Seizures from two addresses in Braybrook.

Detective Inspector Jim Sullivan of the Major Drug Squad said the result should serve as a warning to criminals.

“Victoria Police is determined to make our state a hostile place for organised crime, particularly those involved in the importation and manufacture of drugs,” Insp Sullivan said.

“As this investigation shows, we are often dealing with organised crime syndicates that have immense reach both nationally and internationally.

“Victoria Police will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who bring that harm to our state are held to account, and that those serious and organised crime groups involved in the trafficking of illicit drugs are strongly and deliberately targeted.”

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about illicit drug activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au