Four men charged over their alleged involvement in an Australian organised crime syndicate manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine are expected to face Melbourne Magistrate’s Court.Â
The AFP and Victoria Police arrested three of the men (aged 30, 39, and 41) in the Melbourne suburb of Albert Park as part of operational activity across multiple inner north locations. The 41-year-old man was later released pending further enquiries.
A fourth man, 39, was arrested at his Macleod residence during a police-executed warrant, with a fifth man, 35, arrested in Port Melbourne.
The Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (VIC JOCTF) identified the men during Operation Greenwell Point, an investigation into an alleged syndicate converting liquid methamphetamine for distribution across Melbourne. The liquid was dehydrated and converted into a more concentrated, crystalline version of the drug, which has a higher street value.
The VIC JOCTF, comprising the AFP, Victoria Police and Australian Border Force, executed more than 15 warrants across multiple Melbourne suburbs on 19 November, 2024, with police seizing about $180,000 cash, 23 litres of 1,4 butanediol, 20 litres of acetone, a crypto wallet, about 9kg of methamphetamine, a dedicated encrypted communications device and a cash counting machine.
During a warrant at a North Melbourne property, police also located and seized a commercially-sized dehydrator, which was allegedly used to convert liquid methamphetamine into crystal methamphetamine.
A Docklands man, 39, has been charged with one count of trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 302.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); one count of manufacturing a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 305.3(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); one count of dealing in proceeds of crime valued $100,000 or more, contrary to section 400.4(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); one count of possessing a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 308.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); one count of causing harm to a public official, contrary to section 147.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and one count of obstructing a Commonwealth official, contrary to section 149.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
An Airport West man, 30, has been charged with one count of trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 302.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and one count of dealing in proceeds of crime valued $10,000 or more, contrary to section 400.6(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).Â
A Highett man, 35, has been charged with one count of trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 302.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); one count of dealing in proceeds of crime valued $10,000 or more, contrary to section 400.6(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); one count of possessing a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 308.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and one count of possessing a controlled drug, namely cannabis, contrary to section 308.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
A Macleod man, 39, has been charged with one count of trafficking a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 302.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
Investigations into the alleged trafficking operations of the group remain ongoing.
AFP Detective Inspector David Macgregor said criminals were motivated by greed and used a variety of methods to traffic harmful drugs in Australia because of the high prices users were prepared to pay.
ABF Superintendent Ben Michalke said methamphetamine was a scourge on society and ABF officers would continue to work tirelessly to do their part in keeping it off the streets and Australians safe.
