Man arrested as part of multi million dollar drug and money laundering investigation

Police arrested a man in Melbourne’s south-east this morning as part of an ongoing investigation into drugs and money laundering, which has seen over $17M worth of property restrained across the state.

Detectives from the Mornington Divisional Response Unit and Criminal Proceeds Squad executed a warrant at a Scotch Avenue, Keysborough address shortly after 5.30am on Tuesday, 21 July.

A 40-year-old Keysborough man was arrested at his property and will now be interviewed by police.

Detectives from the Criminal Proceeds Squad proactively commenced an investigation in 2023 after identifying an increase in the number of cannabis grow houses that had been located in the Latrobe Valley area.

Investigators were subsequently able to identify an organised crime syndicate which was linked to at least 41 cannabis crop houses dating back to 2019.

Police will allege the man arrested today had significant involvement in this syndicate.

In August 2025, Criminal Proceeds Squad detectives were able to restrain 14 properties linked to the syndicate, which were valued at approximately $17.5M.

The residential properties were located across the state in Bendigo, Morwell (5), Moe (2), Keysborough (2), Rosebud, McKinnon, Hallam and Newborough.

Police allege that the majority of properties had been used to cultivate cannabis, over long periods of time and generating many millions of dollars in profit.

The investigation into the syndicate remains ongoing, with police continuing to focus on those who have facilitated or assisted with their criminal activities.

This includes electricians, plumbers and other tradespeople, real estate agents, cleaners and accountants.

Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have information about this syndicate and those involved, and this information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers.

Anyone with information about illicit drugs is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Quotes attributable to Detective Superintendent Geri Porter:

“Today’s arrest demonstrates our unwavering commitment to dismantling organised crime at every level.

“We are determined to create the most hostile environment possible for these organised crime syndicates and do every single thing we can to ensure they don’t benefit from this offending.

“This includes not only pursuing every possible avenue for criminal charges but also seizing and restraining all assets such as property, vehicles, designer goods and cash.

“We will pursue every available criminal charge and use the full force of the Confiscation Act to restrain and confiscate the proceeds of crime.

“We also want to be clear that this is absolutely not limited to the syndicate members themselves – it’s also every single person who undertakes tasks that facilitate the operation of organised crime.

“If you let someone use your house to grow cannabis, you will be targeted. If you undertake any kind of tradesperson activities to keep these properties running, you will be targeted. If you’re involved in the moving of money or production of things such as false paperwork, you will be targeted.

“We have offending taking place at all levels and we will do everything we can to hold every single person to account.

“Wilful blindness to this offending and the incredible harm it wreaks on our community is absolutely no excuse.”

Quotes attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pola, Mornington Divisional Response Unit:

“This investigation has been immensely satisfying from the perspective that we’ve been able to work to take these assets away from the syndicate, so they’re not able to benefit from their criminality.

“Today’s arrest is the next step and we want to be in a position where we can put as many people involved before the court to ultimately be held accountable.

“We need to be really clear that these are not victimless crimes. Someone is profiting off misery here.

“These criminal syndicates aren’t just involved in drugs or money laundering, often they have links to violent and disruptive crimes involving firearms, assaults and extortions.

“Drug trafficking also brings with it other offending such as burglaries and theft of and from motor vehicle. These all have a detrimental impact on our communities.

“The public are crucial when it comes to investigations such as this and ultimately, neighbours are our best eyes and ears.

“If there is a property in your street where something doesn’t seem right, chances are that it isn’t. It could be people coming and going at all hours, different vehicles being parked outside the address, lights on at all times of the day and night or shutters constantly closed, or even strong smalls coming from the property.

“This is information police want to know so we encourage people to come forward and speak to us, or as always, this can be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers.”