$5 million cash, cocaine seized from Southbank truck

A truckie might have some explaining to do after a massive cash hoard and drugs were allegedly uncovered in his vehicle in Melbourne.

A truck driver is accused of transporting $5m in cash in a hidden compartment in the back of his truck as part of an alleged drug-running operation between South Australia and Victoria.

Michele Donato, 47, from Adelaide, was arrested by anti-bikie Echo Taskforce detectives in South Melbourne on Tuesday night.

The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard he had driven from South Australia that day and was pulled over by police on Dorcas Street about 9.35pm.

He told police he had a small amount of cocaine in the cabin, which he said was for personal use.

That prompted police to take the truck away to be searched and they then uncovered a treasure trove of drugs and cash, the court heard.

The truck Mr Donato was driving had a custom-built hidden wall, which concealed 11 boxes filled with more than $5m in cash, the court heard.

In his bail application on Wednesday, the court heard he was found to be in possession of 7gm of cocaine and two mobile phones, one of which was believed to be encrypted.

Police told the court they also seized more drugs stashed away in the back of the truck.

Mr Donato was charged with dealing with Australian currency which was proceeds of crime, knowing that it was proceeds of crime and intending to conceal it being the proceeds of crime. He was also charged with trafficking cocaine and possessing cocaine.

Police allege Mr Donato was involved in large-scale interstate drug trafficking and was intending to use the cash to buy more drugs.

The court heard his arrest occurred while he was on a good behaviour bond relating to a previous charge of cultivating cannabis.

Mr Donato, a father of two, successfully applied for bail to return home to Adelaide under strict conditions, including a $50,000 surety and to report to Norwood Police Station three times a week.

Mr Donato’s defence lawyer Nelson Brown said the case against his client was “extremely weak” and pointed out the truck was not registered in Mr Donato’s name.

However, Magistrate Steven Raleigh said the prosecution case was strong.

In granting bail, Mr Raleigh said Mr Donato must stay at his family home, only visit Victoria for his court hearings and surrender his passport.

The court heard there were concerns a trial may be delayed until late 2022 or 2023.

A committal mention was set for March 24, 2021.