Ten arrested over alleged drug and firearm syndicate

Ten people have been arrested over their alleged involvement in a syndicate trafficking drugs, firearms and peptides across Melbourne and importing illicit tobacco.

Police from the Eastern Region Crime Squad executed 12 simultaneous search warrants across the CBD, southeastern and northern suburbs from 10am yesterday.

The searches uncovered more than 2kg of cocaine with an estimated potential street value of $500,000, thousands of vials of peptides, as well as steroids, approximately 80 cartons of illicit tobacco, cannabis, approximately $150,000 in cash suspected of being the proceeds of crime, a 3D printer and dozens of weapons.

36 firearms were seized in total, 17 of which are illicit, consisting of longarms, handguns and 3D printed firearms.

Ten people were arrested, six of them charged:

• A 26-year-old Docklands man, charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of cocaine, possess drug of dependence, prohibited person possess a firearm, possess unregistered handgun, dispose of a handgun, possess prohibited weapon, and possess property suspected of being proceeds of crime.
• A 24-year-old Ferny Creek man, charged with 33 offences including, trafficking a large commercial quantity of cocaine, deal property suspected of being proceeds of crime, as well as extensive firearm offences including possess a traffickable quantity of firearms, prohibited person possess a firearm, possess an unregistered handgun, possess an unregistered longarm and possess ammunition.
• A 58-year-old Ferny Creek man, charged with 13 offences including, trafficking a commercial quantity of cocaine, possess a traffickable quantity of unregistered firearms, possess an unregistered handgun, and possess an unregistered longarm.
• A 23-year-old Officer man, charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of cocaine, possess a traffickable quantity of firearms, dispose of a traffickable quantity of firearms, deal property suspected of being proceeds of crime, and four counts of prohibited person possess a firearm.

All four were remanded in custody to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.

A man and woman – both aged 31 from Berwick – were charged with possessing a traffickable quantity of firearms, prohibited weapons and drugs of dependence. They were bailed to appear in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 17 December.

A 53-year-old woman and 54-year-old man – both from Narre Warren North – were interviewed in relation to trafficking a drug of dependence, and manufacturing and trafficking firearms.

Two men aged 41 and 45 from Pakenham and Endeavour Hills respectively were arrested in relation to possessing a drug of dependence.

These four were released pending further enquiries.

Further charges are expected to be laid.

As investigations continue, anyone with information on drug or firearm trafficking is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au. Reports can be made anonymously.

Media Unit
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