A Werribee man has been charged over his alleged role in a plot to import 80kg of methamphetamine into Australia last year.
Investigators from the Victoria Joint Organised Crime Task Force (JOCTF) arrested and charged the man, 25, yesterday (31 July, 2024), after authorities seized the illicit drugs last year, following information provided by US law enforcement.
About 80kg of methamphetamine, concealed in a consignment of steel boxes addressed to a Victorian business, was seized by Australian Border Force (ABF) upon its arrival into Australia in October, 2023.
This amount of methamphetamine could have been sold as 800,000 individual street deals, with an estimated street value of $74 million.
Authorities removed the methamphetamine and in November, 2023, the consignment was delivered to an address in Moorabbin.
During the delivery, the Werribee man was observed at a nearby location. He was arrested and police searched his home, where they allegedly found encrypted telecommunications devices, small amounts of border controlled drugs (BCDs) and evidence of the manufacture of BCDs.
The man was released pending further inquiries.
A police review of additional evidence indicated he also allegedly trafficked 11kg of MDMA, 10kg of methamphetamine, 5kg of cocaine and 2kg of ketamine and laundered about $850,000 allegedly obtained from criminal activities.
As a result of the ongoing investigation, JOCTF investigators arrested the man at Newcomb yesterday (31 July, 2024), and later charged him with one count of each of the following offences:
- Imported a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- Dealing with money that was, and believed to be, proceeds of indictable crime and at the time of the dealing the value of the money was $856,700 or more, contrary to section 400.4(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- Trafficking a drug of dependence namely methylamphetamine in a quantity that is not less than a large commercial quantity applicable to that drug, contrary to section 71 of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic);
- Trafficking a drug of dependence namely ketamine in a quantity that is not less than a large commercial quantity applicable to that drug, contrary to section 71 of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic);
- Trafficking a drug of dependence namely cocaine in a quantity that is not less than a large commercial quantity applicable to that drug, contrary to section 71 of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic);
- Trafficking a drug of dependence namely 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in a quantity that is not less than a large commercial quantity applicable to that drug, contrary to section 71 of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic);
- Possess substance, material, documents or equipment for trafficking in a drug of dependence, contrary to section 71A of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic);
- Deal with the proceeds of crime, namely $7000, knowing the $7000 was the proceeds of crime, contrary to section 194(2) of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic);
- Possess a drug of dependence, namely Lysergic acid diethylamide, contrary to section 73 of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic); and
- Possess a drug of dependence, namely ketamine, contrary to section 73 of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic).
Police also searched the man's home and vehicle, where they seized an electronic device and international banking cards.
He appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court today (1 August, 2024), where no application was made for bail. The matter is next due in court on 23 October, 2024.
AFP Detective Superintendent Jason McArthur said police were dedicated to bringing to justice anyone allegedly involved in the trafficking of illicit drugs because of the harm they caused in Australian communities.
"The seizure of 80kg of methamphetamine not only kept our communities safer but it deprived a criminal syndicate of millions of dollars that could be used to fund other illegal ventures or enjoy lives of luxury while law-abiding citizens face cost-of-living pressures," Detective Superintendent McArthur said.
"The AFP is working closely with law enforcement partners in the JOCTF and around the world to make Australia a hostile environment for anyone involved in the illicit drug trade."
Victoria Police Detective Superintendent David Cowan, from the Organised Crime Division, said unfortunately, the use of methylamphetamine per capita in Australia was matched by no other nation in the world.
"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," Detective Superintendent Cowan said.
"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 Commander Clint Sims said ABF officers remained focused on disrupting any attempt to infiltrate Australia's border to make money off the misery and harm that methamphetamine causes.
"These criminal networks are relentless, but so are we, and we will continue to work hand in glove with our law enforcement partners, both here and internationally, to prevent this extremely addictive drug being sold on Australian streets," Commander Sims said.
The Victorian JOCTF comprises members from the AFP, Victoria Police, Australian Border Force (ABF), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and Department of Home Affairs.
