By Matthew Sims
A four-month Joint Organised Crime Taskforce [JOCTF] investigation into the importation of cocaine into Melbourne has led to the arrest of a 39-year-old Spotswood man.
The arrests of the Spotswood man, as well as a 26-year-old Reservoir man and a 66-year-old Greek foreign national, on Tuesday, June 21, followed on from Australian Border Force [ABF] officers detecting about 45 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a jukebox arriving from Greece, which has a street value of about $20 million.
After the jukebox was sent to a Sunshine North residential property, police also searched two additional residential properties in Spotswood and Reservoir and two commercial premises in Toorak and Kingsville.
Police subsequently seized a number of items including two Mercedes-Benz vehicles, a Harley Davidson motorbike, luxury watches, jewellery and items of clothing, as well as various drugs and a significant quantity of cash.
Police charged the Spotswood man and the Reservoir man with importation of a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs and attempted possession of a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs.
Victoria Police Acting Detective Superintendent Andrew Stamper said charging two people involved in the Melbourne organised crime syndicate and conducting the seizure was “extremely satisfying”.
“Victoria Police will continue to make it as difficult as possible for these syndicates to bring harm to Victoria,” he said.
“To be able to make these arrests and seizures highlights the continued local demand there is for a range of drugs.
“Ultimately, we really need to challenge attitudes around the use of illicit drugs in the community.”
“Those people now face substantial penalties here in Victoria if convicted.
Australian Federal Police Detective Inspector Mark McKiernan said police have alleged that the men are “significant” members of a Melbourne-based organised crime syndicate.
“We are sending a strong and clear message today to organised crime,” he said.
“We will not stop.
“We are coming after you.”
The Spotswood man and the Reservoir man faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday, June 22, while police released the Greek foreign national pending further inquiries.
