A Taylors Hill woman was among three western suburbs residents arrested following large-scale seizures.
The VIPER Taskforce arrested three people and seized over $1.5 million in cash, at least $500,000 worth of luxury handbags, over $3M worth of gold and illicit cigarettes as part of an investigation into the supply and distribution of methylamphetamine.
Three warrants were executed on Tuesday, October 29 at two residential addresses in Taylors Hill and Kealba and a storage facility in Brooklyn.
A large quantity of cash, believed to be about $1 million, approximately $250,000 worth of luxury handbags and approximately $500,000 worth of gold ingots were seized from the Taylor’s Hill property, according to police.
A 35-year-old Taylors Hill woman was arrested and interviewed by police, and released pending further inquiries.
At the Kealba address, police seized 100,000 illicit cigarettes, approximately $250,000 worth of luxury handbags and at least $100,000 in cash.
A 50-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman inside the address were both arrested and interviewed by police. The duo was released pending further inquiries.
Investigators located approximately 750 kilograms of loose leaf tobacco – with a street value of $250,000 – inside the Brooklyn storage facility, according to police.
At 2.30pm on Wednesday, October 30, investigators executed a further warrant at a storage vault in Melbourne’s CBD.
Approximately 24 kilograms of gold bullion – worth an estimated $3.3 million – and approximately $750,000 cash were located.
The investigation into the alleged supply and distribution of a large commercial quantity of methylamphetamine commenced in March of this year.
The investigation remains ongoing.
VIPER Taskforce Detective Inspector Mark Newlan said the illicit drug supply chain is dangerous and needs to be kept off the streets.
“These are incredibly significant proceeds of crime seizures which have been acquired by organised criminals determined to line their pockets through illicit means and ultimately, to the severe detriment of the rest of the community,” he said.
“Victoria Police will continue to target anyone involved in the illicit drug trade and this includes the confiscation of their criminal assets. We will relentlessly pursue those who seek to profit from the misery that illicit drugs cause.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
