Two arrested as police shut down alleged organised crime syndicate

Two Wantirna South residents have been arrested as police take down alleged organised crime syndicate. PICTURE: ON FILE

Two people have been arrested following an extensive police investigation into an alleged organised crime syndicate.

The operation involved local police from Knox, Croydon Divisional Response Unit and Australian Federal Police (AFP).

Police executed a search warrant at a property in Wantirna South on Tuesday 10 October, where they seized a substantial amount of evidence including traffickable amounts of methylamphetamine, MDMA, Cannabis, GHB, ammunition, various prohibited weapons including two swords, a rifle scope, a firework, stolen licences and bank cards.

AFP Detective Inspector James Cheshire said the AFP, together with its state and Commonwealth law enforcement partners had zero tolerance for the illegal importation of drugs and weapons into Australia.

Victoria Police Acting Sergeant Dylan Robinson said Victoria police have a clear warning to anyone who chooses a path of crime.

“If you are involved in organised crime, we will work tirelessly to identify, apprehend, and bring you to justice.

“You may think you’re smart, but we’ve got the intelligence and resources to take you down,” he said.

A 48-year-old man from Wantirna South was charged with traffick methylamphetamine, possess drug of dependence, possess prohibited weapons, possess ammunition, possess explosive.

He was remanded to face Ringwood Magistrates Court’ on 16 October 2023.

A 39-year-old woman from Wantirna South was charged with make false document, possess identification documents to facilitate indictable offence, possess drug of dependence, deal with property suspected of being proceeds of crime, commit indictable offence whilst on bail.

She was remanded to face Ringwood Magistrates Court’ on 31 October 2023.

AFP Detective Inspector James Cheshire said this overt action is just another example of the AFP and Victoria Police working together in close cooperation and partnership to keep Australians safe from the threat of transnational serious organised crime.