Prahran detectives yield $730K of drugs and cash since start of the year

More than 55 alleged offenders involved in Melbourne’s drug trade, and well over half a million dollars’ worth of illegal drugs have been taken off the streets this year, as a result of the work of the Prahran Divisional Response Unit.

The latest arrests came last week, with five people apprehended in dawn raids, supported by the VIPER Taskforce and Critical Incident Response Team, on Wednesday 22 October, over their alleged involvement in a drug syndicate operating throughout Melbourne.

Following seven simultaneous search warrants at homes and factories in St Kilda East, Brighton East, Cheltenham, Highett, Ormond, Tarneit and Tullamarine, detectives seized a traffickable amount of cocaine with an estimated potential street value of $50,000, as well as almost $100,000 in cash.

Police also seized $5000 worth of ketamine, three imitation handguns, three electronic stun devices, a curved hook knife, a baton, steroids and other human growth hormones, mobile phones and storage devices.

Five men were arrested:

• A 56-year-old man from St Kilda East was charged with trafficking cocaine and ketamine, possession of illicit drugs, possessing prescription medication, possessing an imitation firearm and five prohibited weapons, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime. He was remanded to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 5 November.

• A 46-year-old man from Brighton East was charged with possessing cocaine, an imitation firearm, testosterone, and two counts of possessing a Schedule 4 Poison. He was bailed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 24 March 2026.

• A 33-year-old man from Cheltenham was charged with possessing ketamine, testosterone, anabolic steroids, and a controlled weapon. He was bailed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 23 March 2026.

• A 49-year-old man from Ormond was charged with possessing anabolic steroids. He was bailed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 25 March 2026.

• A 35-year-old man from Tarneit was charged with possessing an imitation firearm. He was released on intent to summons.

Since the start of the year, detectives from the Prahran Divisional Response Unit have seized $555,000 of illicit substances off the street and seized almost another $180,000 in cash.

The breakdown of illicit substances seized includes:

• Cocaine worth $130,000
• 21 litres of 1,4 Butanediol worth $100,000; 16 litres of which was seized in St Kilda alone
• Cannabis worth $108,500
• Methamphetamine worth $96,000
• 2200 prescription medication pills worth $44,000
• MDMA worth $30,000
• Heroin worth $22,000
• Ketamine worth $20,000
• Pseudoephedrine worth $5000

A range of weapons have also been seized by Prahran DRU detectives this year, including imitation firearms, machetes, knuckle dusters, axes, a sling shot, extendable batons, OC spray, pill presses, money counting machines as well as stolen items such as identity documents, bicycles and power tools.

56 people have been arrested and charged with serious drug offences during since the start of the year, with more than 20 of those facing lengthy stints behind bars.

Teams of specialist detectives make up the Prahran Divisional Response Unit who are responsible for investigating serious crimes across Melbourne’s inner south-east including Prahran, Port Melbourne and St Kilda.

Detectives in the unit work tirelessly to investigate any local drug trafficking rings and criminal syndicates.

Anyone with information about those trafficking drugs in the community is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Quotes attributable to Prahran Divisional Response Unit Acting Senior Sergeant Briony Baird:

“Drugs don’t just harm users; they drive violence, thefts, robberies, assaults, and other serious crimes that are committed to fund a drug addiction.

“Every time we seize drugs – and this year we’ve already intercepted half a million dollars’ worth from hitting local streets – it also represents a myriad of further crimes that may have been prevented as a result.

“We will continue to pursue anyone else involved – whether that is other alleged suppliers, couriers, facilitators and dealers – and hold them to account.

“A lengthy investigation such as this one sends a clear message to drug traffickers that we are watching them and waiting for the right time to knock on their door.”

Media Unit
138234