Seafood illegally harvested by 10 Brimbank divers from the southwest coast of Victoria was sold in Alfrieda Street, St Albans and private residences in Sunshine from the back of a car, the Melbourne Magistrates Court has heard.
The divers were either jailed, fined up to $16,500 or copped fishing bans.
Several pleaded guilty to taking abalone for sale without authorisation while others also pleaded guilty to possessing the proceeds of crime, the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources told the Star Weekly.
Four divers were jailed while six received community correctional orders following the 10 month Operation Quantum, which executed 12 search warrants in October, 2014, at properties within Brimbank.
Twelve vehicles and dive equipment were seized while a number of residences, all within Brimbank, were restrained under proceeds of crime legislation.
The court heard the syndicate of divers drove from Brimbank several times a week to take abalone and rock lobster from the southwest coast, including shellfish around Warrnambool and Port Fairy.
The fish were then sold to two ringleaders, based in Cairnlea and St Albans, and then allegedly sold at a discounted rate around St Albans and Sunshine.
The female ringleader, who pleaded guilty in December 2015, was remanded in custody for further sentencing in February.
The other alleged ringleader, who was bailed to appear before the Magistrates Court today for a further hearing, was allegedly using his car to sell to private residences.
