Detectives from joint Taskforce Icarus and Taskforce Trident yesterday arrested a man and woman as part of an investigation into alleged drug trafficking.
The pair were arrested and search warrants were subsequently executed at properties in St Kilda Road, Melbourne and Commercial Road, South Yarra.
Police seized a number of items from the addresses including commercial quantities of drugs, cash and stolen goods.
The Melbourne pair, a 26-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man, have been charged with import commercial quantities of border-controlled drugs, including methamphetamine, MDMA and ketamine.
They were remanded and will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.
Detective Acting Superintendent Craig Darlow of the Organised Crime Division said this was yet another example of the joint commitment of Australian law enforcement to reduce the supply of drugs and to minimise the harm they caused to the community.
“Australian Border Force (ABF) detected four consignments of what police allege contained commercial quantities of methamphetamine, MDMA and ketamine,” he said
“The methamphetamine alone was enough for more than 75,000 street doses.
“Not only can drugs destroy the lives of users, they can also destroy the lives of those attempting to profit from their sale, when they are inevitably caught.”
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Acting Commander Investigations Ray Imbriano said that the tireless work of all investigators involved demonstrates the AFP’s commitment to stopping these life-destroying drugs from reaching communities.
“These arrests are an example of how the AFP can provide intelligence and support to strengthen the work of our partner agencies,” he said.
“To those thinking about getting involved in organised crime, let these results be a warning that we will do everything we can to stop you.”
Australian Border Force Acting Commander of Investigations Garry Low said ABF officers worked hard each day to stop the importation of illicit substances into Australia.
“Our message is clear – no matter what concealment method you may try to adopt, our highly trained officers will continue to detect these illicit commodities at the border,” he said.
“This is another example of how the ABF continues to work with partners agencies to not only detect but to also identify and prosecute those involved in the importation of illegal drugs into Australia.”
Joint Task Force Icarus is staffed by Victoria Police, Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police and the Department of Home Affairs.
Community members with any information about drug importations or drug trafficking are asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppers.com.au.
