Federal police say they have smashed a criminal gang after officers discovered drugs worth an estimated $11 million inside properties and trucks across NSW and Victoria. See photos.
Three men have been charged with possessing and smuggling more illegal drugs hidden in secret compartments inside a number of vehicles being transported between New South Wales and Victoria. Video: AFP
Federal police say the group, which includes a man from New South Wales and two men from Victoria, are part of a criminal gang that transports cocaine and MDMA in secret compartments in trucks between Sydney and Melbourne.
The men allegedly used specially prepared hides, located in the back seat area of Toyota Camry sedans, to conceal and transport illegal drugs and more than $1 million in criminal proceeds.
The Australian Federal Police, in collaboration with Victoria Police, searched properties in Deer Park, Neddrie and Maribyrnong, as well as a truck in Wagga Wagga.
Police will allege the two men from Victoria and a man from New South Wales were key members of an organised crime gang. Photo: AFP
Police during the arrest operation. Photo: AFP
Approximately 22 kilograms of cocaine, 3 kilograms of MDMA, 1 kilogram of methamphetamine, a quantity of cash, and two loaded firearms were seized.
Australian police have arrested a 23-year-old man from Niddry in Deer Park and a 20-year-old man from NSW in Maribyrnong.
Security forces also found a firearm during a search. Photo: AFP
Police found 22 kilograms of cocaine, 3 kilograms of ecstasy and 1 kilogram of methamphetamine. Photo: AFP
Each man was charged with one count of trafficking in a commercial quantity of a controlled drug and one count of possessing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug reasonably suspected of being unlawfully imported.
The Nedry man was also charged with possession of a trafficable quantity of firearms.
Less than a week later, officers were able to identify a third man with suspected links to the organised crime gang and searched a property in Craigieburn.
Investigators seized various electronic devices for further forensic analysis and arrested a 23-year-old man.
Officers also found a large amount of cash. Photo: AFP
Three men have been charged with possession and trafficking of illegal drugs. Photo: AFP
The Australian Federal Police allege the man was responsible for 25kg of methamphetamine, 5kg of cocaine and more than $1m in suspected crime proceeds that were found and seized in the bed of a van at West Airport on May 16.
He was charged with two counts of trafficking in a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, two counts of possession of a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug reasonably suspected of being unlawfully imported, and dealing with money or property believed to be the proceeds of crime, and at the time of the dealing the value of the money or property was $1 million or more.
The car was seized by security forces. Photo: AFP
Drugs hidden under a car seat. Photo: AFP
The three men are due to appear in court in October, where they each face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The vehicles were modified with secret compartments to hide the drugs, said Australian Federal Police Detective Inspector Simone Butcher.
“Organised criminal gangs will continue to evolve and invent new and innovative concealment methods to avoid detection by law enforcement,” said Inspector Butcher.
Security forces found a large amount of money. Photo: AFP
The three men face a maximum sentence of life in prison. Photo: AFP
“Our message to criminals is clear: your efforts will fail and the Australian Federal Police is always one step ahead of your plans.
“I would like to thank the Australian Federal Police officers involved in the investigation and highlight their ongoing efforts to disrupt the criminal gangs that cause Australians significant harm through the vicious drug trade.
“The amount of illicit drugs seized from this gang had an estimated street value of more than $11 million and could have facilitated more than 37,500 individual street transactions, had it reached Australian streets.”
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