Police have seized more than 15kg of methylamphetamine and arrested two people after intercepting a vehicle near the NSW border in Wodonga early on Tuesday morning.
The vehicle, a tow truck with Victorian registration plates, was intercepted by officers performing roving patrols on the Hume Highway near the border as part of Operation Sentinel just after midnight on Tuesday 20 July.
After a preliminary discussion with the two occupants of the vehicle, officers conducted a search of the tow truck and located what appeared to be a significant quantity of drugs.
Detectives from the Wodonga Criminal Investigation Unit seized the tow truck and another vehicle on the back of the truck.
A subsequent forensic examination confirmed the substance concealed within the vehicle was more than 15kg of methylamphetamine, estimated to be worth up to $10 million street value.
A 28-year old Balnarring man and a 36-year old Frankston man were arrested and charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of a drug of dependence. The pair were also issued with fines for breaching the Chief Health Officers directions.
Both men have been remanded and will appear in the Wodonga Magistrates Court on 14 October 2021.
Quotes attributed to Wodonga Criminal Investigation Unit, Senior Sergeant Garry Barton:
"While the border patrols taking place as part of Operation Sentinel are playing a crucial role in keeping those from New South Wales without valid permits out of Victoria, they also allow our members to more easily identify and stop serious criminal behaviour such as this."
"This was a terrific piece of policing by our local members, which has resulted in the seizure and ultimately, the destruction of more than $10 million worth of methylamphetamine bound for our streets."
"This is a significant drug bust, as we know the harm substances such as methylamphetamine cause to our communities. We will continue to ruthlessly target those looking to profit from drug transactions, which have severe consequences from a crime and public health perspective."
