Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad have this afternoon charged a man with murder following the suspicious disappearance of Colombian national Sergio Cuesta.
A 49-year-old Mt Eliza man was arrested by police yesterday and has subsequently been charged with one count of murder.
He will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.
Warrants were executed at properties in Mount Eliza and Cranbourne shortly after 2pm on Tuesday, 30 January.
Three firearms, a pill press, various quantities of what appear to be dried cannabis and cocaine, cannabis crops, a crossbow and a conducted energy device have been seized from the Mt Eliza address.
A 48-year-old Cranbourne man also interviewed by police has been released pending further enquiries.
The charge follows the disappearance of 28-year-old Colombian national Sergio Cuesta just over four months ago.
Sergio was last seen about 8.15pm on 16 September, 2023 when he was dropped off by a male friend on Jabiru Drive in Chelsea Heights.
Sergio did not tell his friend why he wanted to visit the address.
A concerned female friend reported him missing to police on 21 September after she hadn’t heard from him in several days.
Sergio had also not made any contact with his family in Colombia, which was unusual as he often spoke to them daily.
Local police conducted a number of enquiries following this report, including checking that he had not left the country.
However, Sergio’s disappearance was subsequently deemed to be suspicious and is being investigated by detectives from the Missing Persons Squad.
Prior to his disappearance, he had been living in an apartment on Queens Road and was subject to an expired student visa.
He was also on bail in relation to drug offences and was known to have contact with people suspected to be involved in drug trafficking.
Detectives are keen to speak to anyone with information about Sergio’s movements in the lead up to his disappearance.
Sergio had also spent some time in Queensland in the weeks leading up to his disappearance and police are keen to speak to anyone living there who may have information about his disappearance or why he travelled interstate.
Sergio is described as being about 170cm tall with a solid build and dark hair.
At the time he was last seen, Sergio was wearing a black t-shirt, black pants and black sneakers.
Anyone with any other information regarding his disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
