Two men have been arrested as part of an investigation into alleged extortions committed on a number of shops in the Altona North area.
On Monday, 10 March, a number of notes were dropped off at different businesses in the area allegedly demanding money on behalf of an offshore organised crime syndicate leader, according to police.
This included a threat allegedly stuck on the window of a liquor store with instructions to ‘call Kaz’ or the shop would be damaged, police said.
With assistance from the VIPER Taskforce, Lunar Taskforce detectives executed two search warrants at residential addresses in Roxburgh Park and Craigieburn on Tuesday, July 22.
A 21-year-old Roxburgh Park man was charged with extortion with threat to destroy property, possessing cannabis, possessing schedule 4 poison, possessing anabolic steroid and theft.
He was bailed to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on October 22.
Police seized what appears to be cannabis, prescription medication, four balaclavas, testosterone and a stolen driver’s licence from his address.
A 20-year-old Craigieburn man was released and is expected to be charged on summons.
