UPDATE – 3:00PM
Major Drug Squad detectives have charged a 27-year-old Braybrook man with trafficking a large commercial quantity of heroin and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime.
According to a Victoria Police spokesperson, police executed search warrants on Tuesday, May 31 at three residential addresses in Braybrook, as well as residential addresses in Box Hill, Springvale and Dingley Village.
“They subsequently seized a significant quantity of cash, multiple Rolex watches, loose diamonds, a large commercial quantity of heroin, a hydraulic pill press, cash counting machines, an Audi SUV, a Lexus sedan, various drugs including cannabis, methylamphetamine, cocaine and ketamine, as well as a large number of luxury goods, including handbags, clothing and jewellery,” the spokesperson said.
The Braybrook man faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday, June 3.
According to the spokesperson, Major Drug Squad detectives also charged a 29-year-old Box Hill man, a 27-year-old Springvale man and a 49-year-old Dingley Village woman with similar charges.
“All three have been remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on September 26,” the spokesperson said.
“A further seven people are expected to be charged on summons with various drug and possess proceeds of crime related offences.”
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Major Drug Squad detectives have arrested six Braybrook men following a seven-month investigation into a Malaysian syndicate linked to trafficking commercial quantities of heroin.
Detectives executed warrants and searched three residential addresses in Braybrook on Tuesday, May 31.
With assistance from Springvale Divisional Response Unit, Box Hill Divisional Crime Team and the Dog Squad, detectives also searched residential addresses in Box Hill, Springvale and Dingley Village.
Police seized a number of items from the addresses suspected of being proceeds of crime, including a large commercial quantity of heroin, a large sum of cash, a Lexus and an Audi, and luxury goods including designer handbags, watches and jewellery.
Police arrested a 31-year-old Braybrook man, a 24-year-old Braybrook man, a 23-year-old Braybrook man, a 20-year-old Braybrook man, a 30-year-old Braybrook man and a 53-year-old Braybrook man.
Police will interview all those arrested in relation to trafficking a commercial drug of dependance and possess proceeds of crime.
Major Drug Squad Detective Inspector Jim Sullivan said police would allege that those arrested have been involved in a syndicate of Malaysian nationals trafficking large commercial quantities of heroin, but investigations remain ongoing.
“This result should serve as a warning to criminals who attempt to target our community,” he said.
“Victoria Police is determined to make our state a hostile place for organised crime, particularly those involved in the importation and manufacture of drugs.
“As this investigation shows, we are often dealing with organised crime syndicates that have immense reach both nationally and internationally.
“Victoria Police will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who bring that harm to our state are held to account, and that those serious and organised crime groups involved in the trafficking of illicit drugs are strongly and deliberately targeted.”
Police also arrested a 29-year-old Box Hill man, a 27-year-old Springvale man, a 49-year-old Dingley Village woman and a 36-year-old Box Hill woman in relation to their alleged connection to the Malaysian syndicate.
