More than $1.7 million in drugs and cash seized as police smash Box Hill drug syndicate

Police busted an alleged organised drug trafficking syndicate and seized more than $1.7 million worth of illicit drugs and cash after a series of warrants across Melbourne’s east.

Detectives from the Box Hill Divisional Response Unit executed 11 warrants across Box Hill (x5), Blackburn South (x2), Nunawading, Doncaster, Patterson Lakes and Glen Waverley this week as part of a months-long investigation.

In total, seven people were arrested and police seized:

• 436 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of $1,000,000
• More than 130kg of dried cannabis with an estimated street value of $600,000
• Almost half a kilo of MDMA with an estimated street value of $25,000
• Quantities of cocaine with an estimated street value of $25,000
• Quantities of methylamphetamine with an estimated street value of $10,000
• More than $55,000 cash which is alleged to be the proceeds of crime
• 5,000 illicit nicotine vapes
• Five firearm silencers
• A machete
• A pill press, cannabis grow lights and an electrical bypass

Six men were charged with a range of offences including:

• Two men, aged 36 and 40, both foreign nationals with no valid visas, who were charged with trafficking commercial quantities of cannabis, MDMA, and methylamphetamine. Both were remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 3 June.
• Two Doncaster men, aged 31 and 37, who were charged with cultivating cannabis, trafficking cannabis, possessing the proceeds of crime and possessing schedule 4 poison. Both were bailed to appear before Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on 29 May.
• A 40-year-old man, also a foreign national with no valid visa, who was charged possessing drugs of dependence, possessing a firearms silencer, committing an indictable offence while on bail, and two counts with knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime. He has been detained by immigration authorities and will appear at court on 7 May.
• A 48-year-old Patterson Lakes man who was charged with possessing drugs of dependence. He was bailed to appear before court at a later date.

A seventh man, aged 26 from Box Hill, was released pending further enquiries.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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

Quotes attributable to Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan McSpadden, Box Hill Divisional Response Unit:

“We remain committed to targeting organised crime groups who profit off selling illicit drugs to our community.

“Anyone involved in the trafficking of drugs should know police could be knocking on your door next.”

Media Unit

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