POLICE recently executed 20 warrants across metropolitan Melbourne as part of a Joint Organised Crime Task Force investigation that has led to Victoria’s largest ever heroin seizure.
The warrants were executed at residential and commercial properties in Campbellfield, Reservoir, Coolaroo, Greenvale, Wollert, Craigieburn, Broadmeadows, Pascoe Vale South, Melbourne, Tullamarine and Fawkner.
The warrants form part of an 18-month investigation by the JOCTF into the trafficking of illicit drugs and tobacco linked to a Middle Eastern Organised Crime Group syndicate.
In January this year, police seized 300 kilograms of heroin with a street value of approximately $60 million, which is Victoria’s largest ever heroin seizure.
It’s alleged the drugs were hidden inside an air cargo consignment, which had been detected by ABF officers upon its arrival in Melbourne from Malaysia on 8 January.
Three people have been arrested including a 33-year-olf Fawkner man, a 41-year-old Campbellfield man and a 39-year-old Greenvale woman. All three will be interviewed by police.
A firearm, cash, diamonds, computer equipment, and drugs including MDMA, cannabis and tobacco have been seized from the addresses.
ABF Commander James Watson outlined the ABF’s role in disrupting the supply chains of organised crime groups.
“These arrests demonstrate the technical expertise of dedicated ABF officers, and the suite of capabilities we deploy to target criminals,” he said.
“ABF officers made the initial detection, stopping this massive haul of heroin from entering our community, and played a critical role in the investigation which lead to the arrests today.
“ABF’s intelligence and investigation capabilities, in partnership with law enforcement agencies, work to keep our community safe and break the business models of organised crime targeting Australia.”
Charges have also been laid after $300,000 of ‘ice’ concealed in mechanical equipment seized
NSW Police have charged a man over the alleged importation of $300,000 of methylamphetamine (ice) concealed in mechanical equipment, following a joint investigation with the ABF.
On Friday 20 August 2021, ABF officers examined a consignment which arrived in Sydney.
The air cargo consignment – which was declared to contain mechanical equipment – was examined by the ABF, who noted inconsistencies.
During a subsequent deconstruction, the consignment was found to contain more than three kilograms of a crystallised substance within the items.
The substance was tested and returned a presumptive positive result for methylamphetamine (ice), which has an estimated potential street value of $300,000.
Joint inquiries were subsequently commenced by investigators attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command and ABF officers.
Following extensive inquiries, officers, with assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit, arrested a 54-year-old man at a home at Yennora on 7 September 2021).
A search warrant was subsequently executed at the home, where officers seized a number of items relevant to the investigation.
The man was taken to Fairfield Police Station, where he was charged with import commercial quantity of border controlled drug.
Investigations are continuing.
