Illicit drugs worth more than $8 million have been seized after they were found hidden in a Melbourne apartment which police allege was leased by a criminal syndicate for the sole purpose of storing imported drug consignments.
The “safe house” in Docklands was raided and 34 kilograms of illicit drugs and chemicals were seized in January.
Cash seized by police investigating the drug seizure. Credit:AFP
They also found 20.8 kilograms of border-controlled precursor methyl
alpha-phenylacetoacetate (MAPA), a chemical used to create ice.
It will be alleged in court the Docklands apartment had been leased by a criminal syndicate exclusively to store imported drug consignments, police said on Thursday.
The 35-year-old man arrested on Thursday was charged with trafficking commercial quantities of controlled drugs, possessing commercial quantities of border-controlled drugs, and pre-trafficking commercial quantities of controlled precursors.
The maximum penalty for those offences is life imprisonment.
The Malaysian national is the fourth person charged with serious drug offences as a result of the joint investigation, codenamed Operation Trento.
Three other Malaysian nationals charged with related drug importation offences remain in custody. Police have also seized approximately $153,000 from the alleged criminal syndicate during the operation.
The methamphetamine seized by police in January. Credit:AFP
“Today’s arrest shows yet again that we remain one step ahead of these illicit organised criminal groups,” said AFP Commander of Investigations Todd Hunter.
“We know that for approximately every kilogram of methamphetamine sold on the streets, a person requires emergency treatment. And sadly there is a death of someone in our community for approximately every 26 kilograms of methamphetamine used.
“We are determined to prevent this serious harm to the Australian community.”
Victoria Police Detective Inspector Craig Darlow said officers saw the daily harm imported drugs bring to the community.
“This result highlights the work across all law enforcement agencies to hold these people accountable for their criminal actions and that police will actively work to disrupt the activities of those willing to bring drugs into Victoria,” he said.
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