Joint Taskforce Icarus detectives have charged two women and seized various drugs of dependence, a large sum of cash, cryptocurrency and a car following an investigation into drug trafficking on the darknet.
Detectives will allege that various drugs of dependence were trafficked via darknet marketplaces and bought using cryptocurrency, before being disguised and shipped around Australia.
The operation also involved detectives from Trident Taskforce, Cybercrime Squad, Caufield Divisional Response Unit as well as members from Australian Border Force and Home Affairs.
Police executed a search warrant at an address in Hughesdale on Wednesday afternoon.
They subsequently seized quantities of various drugs, including speed, ketamine, opium, cocaine, methylamphetamine and steroids, a large sum of cash, cryptocurrency and a luxury vehicle.
With the assistance of Australia Post, investigators also seized over 250 parcels all containing quantities of various drugs, including methylamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and MDMA.
Two Hughesdale women, a 77-year-old and a 42-year-old, were charged with:
Traffick Large Commercial Quantity of amphetamine;
Traffick Commercial Quantity of methamphetamine;
Traffick ketamine;
Traffick cocaine;
Traffick opium;
Traffick heroin;
Traffick ecstasy;
Traffick anabolic steroids;
Traffick testosterone; and
Deal with the proceeds of crime (cash and cryptocurrency).
The duo was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 24 February 2022.
Joint Taskforce Icarus comprises members of the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and Australian Border Force and investigates high-volume drug importation and trafficking offences in the Victorian jurisdiction.
Anyone with information about illicit drug activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
Quotes attributable to Detective Acting Superintendent, Damien Jones, Organised Crime Division:
"This operation is the 21st century version of drug trafficking, with criminals using technology to enable immense amounts of community harm and misery.
"This is a remarkable result and one that highlights the modern nature of serious and organised crime.
"The ongoing support of Australia Post to law enforcement in combatting the transporting of drugs in the mail is outstanding.
"There may be a perception that trafficking drugs online is a 'safer' option or one less likely to lead to detection due to relative anonymity, however this result highlights that this is absolutely not the case.
"This result is a warning that regardless of where you are or where how you operate, we will target those involved in the manufacture and trafficking of illicit drugs and holding them to account."
Quote attributable to ABF Acting Superintendent, Uriah Turner, Regional Investigations Victoria/Tasmania:
"The Australian Border Force continue to work in close collaboration with partner law enforcement agencies, and this operation demonstrates the importance of working together to combat illicit drugs."
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