Three people have been arrested as part of a Taskforce Icarus investigation into the importation of methylamphetamine into Melbourne.
A 24-year-old Glen Waverley man, 36-year-old Doncaster man and a 20-year-old Bundoora man were all arrested by police in Doncaster East on Monday night.
The arrests followed the attempted importation of approximately 40kg of methylamphetamine, which was seized and detected offshore in the United States.
The consignment was collected and transported to a residential property in Doncaster East, when Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force members made the arrests.
Police searched three vehicles the men were travelling in and seized a number of items including over 3kg of methylamphetamine, drug paraphernalia including scales, a firearm, knuckle dusters, tools, passports, radio equipment and mobile phones.
The trio were interviewed and subsequently charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs.
They faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 5 April and were remanded in custody.
The arrest formed part of a four-month Taskforce Icarus investigation into the importation of drugs into Melbourne from the United States.
In total, about 40kg of methylamphetamine has been seized as part of this investigation, which has a street value of approximately $20M.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Victoria Police Detective Inspector Craig Darlow said these drugs had the potential to cause immense harm to the Victorian community.
“The drugs seized equate to hundreds of thousands of hits and by intercepting them we’ve been able to limit the impact they have locally,” he said.
“Our aim is to ensure we disrupt the organised crime syndicates responsible for these imports, so to arrest and charge three people as well as effecting these seizures is extremely satisfying.
“Those people now face substantial penalties here in Victoria if convicted.
“This is a significant outcome for Taskforce Icarus and one that has only been achieved by the work being done in partnership by the state and Commonwealth agencies.”
ABF Commander Maritime and Enforcement South James Watson said criminals who think they can import illicit drugs into the country should think again.
“The ABF is committed to stopping drugs at the border. When we combine our considerable expertise in this area with the capabilities of our police partners, criminals attempting to bring drugs into our country don’t stand a chance,” Commander Watson said.
“Every deal that makes it to the street has the potential to cause death or serious harm; then there are the devastating social impacts on families affected by illicit drug use, not to mention significant healthcare system costs. We continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to stop these drugs reaching our communities where they can cause so much damage.”
Australian Federal Police Detective Inspector Julian Bianco said the multi-agency operation was a testament to Commonwealth and state law enforcement’s combined determination to stop criminals from importing drugs into Australia.
“The Australian public can rest assured that the AFP and its partner agencies, both domestically and internationally, are committed to keeping the community safe. This seizure represents another blow to organised crime, bringing alleged criminals to justice and protecting Australians from the terrible social damage caused by illicit substance abuse,” Det Insp Bianco said.
Taskforce Icarus is a joint agency initiative involving Victoria Police, Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police, and the Department of Home Affairs that targets those who seek to use the international mail and air cargo systems for criminal activity.
Australia’s law enforcement agencies need the community’s ongoing assistance to minimise the harm caused by drugs, and urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit at confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
