Esther Lauaki
Police arrested five people and seized drugs, cash and vehicles over 10-days last month as part of a joint organised crime taskforce investigation into an organised crime group operating out of Caroline Springs, Cairnlea and Fraser Rise.
Warrants were executed at three addresses in the early hours of September 25 by taskforce investigators, comprising members from Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
A 29-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were both arrested at a house in Caroline Springs and face drug charges.
The pair faced Melbourne Magistrates Court and were remanded in custody to appear again on December 8.
Detectives also allegedly seized a quantity of cash from the address.
A 2018 Mercedes Benz A45 Hatch, which belonged to the 29-year-old man, was seized from the car park of a shopping centre in Cairnlea later that day.
A 52-year-old man was arrested at a second Caroline Springs house and faces drug and theft charges. He has been bailed to appear at Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on June 7.
Police allegedly located a hydroponic drug set up at the property and seized a number of cannabis plants, drugs believed to be ice, cash and designer handbags.
A 31-year-old woman was arrested at a house in Fraser Rise and also faces drug charges. She was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on January 29.
Police allege that a hydroponic drug set up was also located at the property. Police said officers seized a small number of cannabis plants, along with a 2018 Mercedes Benz Wagon GLE 350, designer watches and over 35 designer handbags.
Victoria Police Crime Command Detective Superintendent Jacqueline Curran said the seizures of drugs and vehicles, in particular, was an outstanding result.
“These are people who essentially live the high life from profiting off other people’s misery and they had absolutely no qualms about doing this,”she said.
“However this luxury comes at a cost to someone else and we know the immense harm that drugs do to the Victorian community.
“To be able to target and dismantle a syndicate like this at this time is both satisfying and concerning because it highlights the continued local demand there is for a range of drugs even during the pandemic.”
Anyone with information about drug activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
By Esther Lauaki
