Australian Federal Police (AFP) charged a fourth man over his alleged involvement in a drug trafficking syndicate, which often stored illicit drugs in hidden compartments in vehicles parked on suburban Melbourne streets.
The NSW man, 21, was arrested at Melbourne Airport when he returned to Australia from overseas on Tuesday, March 18.
He faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on March 18, 2025, and was remanded in custody to next appear on May 13, 2025.
Federal police will allege the man, from g, is a key member of an alleged Melbourne-based organised crime syndicate accused of transporting methamphetamine, cocaine and MDMA via tray trucks from Sydney to Melbourne last year.
AFP Detective Superintendent Simone Butcher said drug traffickers were motivated by greed and did not care about the harm they caused to Australian communities.
“Criminals involved in drug trafficking create a national security risk,” Det Supt Butcher said.
The syndicate allegedly used purpose-built hides, located in the rear seat area of a number of vehicles, to store and transport the drugs and suspected illicit cash.
In May, 2024, the AFP, with assistance from Victoria Police, seized about 25kg of methamphetamine, 5kg of cocaine and more than $1 million of suspected criminal proceeds in the flooring of a van parked in the Melbourne suburb of Airport West.
“They attempt to corrupt logistics workers to aid their supply chains, they launder illegal wealth through the Australian financial system, and they use the proceeds of drug trafficking to fund other illegal activity,” Det Supt Butcher said.
In June, 2024, the AFP seized another 22kg of cocaine, 3kg of MDMA, 1kg of methamphetamine and two loaded firearms when they executed search warrants at residential properties in Victoria and NSW.
The 21-year-old, from Greenfield Park, NSW, was charged concerning the 55kg of drugs and cash seized. He faced court on Tuesday on:
- Two counts of trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, contrary to section 302.2 (1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment;
- Two counts of possessing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug that is reasonably suspected of having been unlawfully imported, contrary to section 307.8 (1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment; and
- Dealing with money or property believed to be proceeds of crime, and at the time of dealing the value of the money or property was $1 million or more, contrary to section 400.3 (1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years imprisonment.
“The illicit drugs seized during this investigation had the potential to facilitate more than 37,500 individual street deals and could have put $11 million in the pockets of criminals,” Det Supt Butcher said.
- For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
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