BUNDOORA & CROYDON, VIC. — With assistance from Major Drug Squad and Mill Park Divisional Response Unit, investigators executed search warrants at a property in Bundoora, a hotel room in Mill Park and a storage unit in Croydon last Friday, October 2.
An active clandestine laboratory was located at the Bundoora address, where detectives seized items including 35 litres of liquid MDMA, two handguns, four imitation longarms, ammunition, cannabis, liquid suspected to be methylamphetamine, 1.5 litres of 1,4-butanediol, clan lab equipment, chemicals and electronic devices.
Detectives from the Clandestine Laboratory Squad have charged a 53-year-old Bundoora man with trafficking a commercial quantity of MDMA, trafficking MDMA and possessing articles to manufacture. He was remanded to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on February 8, 2027.
A 43-year-old Bundoora woman and a 44-year-old Bundoora man were interviewed and are expected to be charged on summons.
Police executed a search warrant at a hotel room in Mill Park, where a further two people were arrested.
Detectives seized MDMA, methylamphetamine and electronic devices.
A 31-year-old Nicholson man was charged with two counts of trafficking a large commercial quantity of MDMA, two counts of possessing articles of manufacture, theft of a motor vehicle and two counts of possessing a precursor drug.
He was remanded to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on February 8, 2027.
A 28-year-old Nicholson woman was released pending further enquiries.
As part of the investigation, a search warrant was executed at a storage unit on Lusher Road in Croydon.
“This investigation has disrupted a significant illicit drug manufacturing operation and removed a substantial quantity of dangerous drugs, firearms, chemicals and laboratory equipment from the community,” Detective Inspector Carlie Kohler said.
“Our investigations indicate these activities were linked to an organised criminal network seeking to profit from the manufacture and distribution of illicit drugs.”
Police seized MDMA powder, chemicals and laboratory equipment.
Detectives also searched two properties in Nicholson and a storage unit in Bairnsdale on Tuesday, October 6.
They located a small quantity of drugs, a pill press and an allegedly stolen vehicle.
Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
