Four men charged over their alleged involvement in an Australian organised crime syndicate manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine are expected to face Melbourne Magistrate's Court today (20 November, 2024).
The AFP and Victoria Police arrested three of the men - aged 30, 39, and 41 - in the Melbourne suburb of Albert Park yesterday (19 November, 2024) as part of operational activity across multiple inner north locations. The 41-year-old man was later released pending further enquiries.
A fourth man, 39, was arrested at his Macleod residence during a police-executed warrant, with a fifth man, 35, arrested in Port Melbourne.
The Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (VIC JOCTF) identified the men during Operation Greenwell Point, an investigation into an alleged syndicate converting liquid methamphetamine for distribution across Melbourne. The liquid was dehydrated and converted into a more concentrated, crystalline version of the drug, which has a higher street value.
The VIC JOCTF, comprising the AFP, Victoria Police and Australian Border Force, executed more than 15 warrants across multiple Melbourne suburbs on 19 November, 2024, with police seizing about $180,000 cash, 23 litres of 1,4 butanediol, 20 litres of acetone, a crypto wallet, about 9kg of methamphetamine, and a cash counting machine.
During a warrant at a North Melbourne property, police also located and seized a commercially-sized dehydrator, which was allegedly used to convert liquid methamphetamine into crystal methamphetamine.
A Docklands man, 39, has been charged with:
- One count of trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 302.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
- One count of manufacturing a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 305.3(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)
- One count of dealing in proceeds of crime valued $100,000 or more, contrary to section 400.4(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
- One count of possessing a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 308.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
- One count of causing harm to a public official, contrary to section 147.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and
- One count of obstructing a Commonwealth official, contrary to section 149.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
An Airport West man, 30, has been charged with:
- One count of trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 302.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and
- One count of dealing in proceeds of crime valued $10,000 or more, contrary to section 400.6(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
A Highett man, 35, has been charged with:
- One count of trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 302.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
- One count of dealing in proceeds of crime valued $10,000 or more, contrary to section 400.6(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
- One count of possessing a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 308.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and
- One count of possessing a controlled drug, namely cannabis, contrary to section 308.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
A Macleod man, 39, has been charged with one count of trafficking a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 302.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
Investigations into the alleged trafficking operations of the group remain ongoing.
AFP Detective Inspector David Macgregor said criminals were motivated by greed and used a variety of methods to traffic harmful drugs in Australia because of the high prices users were prepared to pay.
"Methamphetamine, like all illicit drugs, causes psychological, financial and social harm to users, their loved ones, and the broader community," Det-Insp MacGregor said.
"This amount of methamphetamine could have been sold as about 9000 street level deals and would have caused widespread harm, with the negative impact felt in domestic violence, in our hospitals and the road toll.
"The AFP and partners are committed to protecting the community from the scourge of drugs and to targeting individuals who seek to profit from the illicit trade.
"This is a terrific result for our investigators, intelligence and capability members who work hard every day to keep our community safe."
Victoria Police Detective Inspector Dan Ryan said: "The negative effects this many street deals of methylamphetamine would have had are significant and would have been traumatic and life altering for many."
"Unfortunately, the use of methylamphetamine per capita in Australia is matched by no other nation in the world," Det-Insp Ryan said.
"The prevalence of these illicit substances within our society and the impact they have on human behaviour translates into road trauma, family violence, homicides, shootings and other violent offending intrinsically linked to the illicit drug trade.
"The damage caused by the use of methylamphetamine ripples throughout the community, and it does not just affect those using the drug. There have been many lives forever changed and ruined simply by their sheer misfortune of encountering someone who chose to take methylamphetamine.
"Victoria Police, alongside our law enforcement partners, has zero tolerance for those bringing harm to our community by importing and trafficking drugs of any type. We will continue to target these syndicates in any and every way possible."
ABF Superintendent Ben Michalke said methamphetamine was a scourge on society and ABF officers would continue to work tirelessly to do their part in keeping it off the streets and Australians safe.
"Let me be clear, the ABF will not stop working to identify and prosecute those involved in attempting to import illicit substances into Australia," Supt Michalke said.
"These results should serve as a warning to criminal groups that no matter where you are in the chain, or where you are attempting to import your drugs, the ABF and our partners will be waiting. It is only a matter of time until we catch up with you."
