As a result of a joint investigation between the Serious and Organised Crime Branch and the Australian Federal Police (AFP), three men will face court on drugs and money laundering charges following a search in Port Adelaide.
At around midday yesterday (Tuesday 28 July), detectives attended a Lipson Street address and seized just under 160kg of cannabis, 0.5 kg of Cocaine and $20,000 in cash. A 52-year-old man from Mount Compass was arrested at the scene.
Detectives then conducted a further search at an Urrbrae address where they arrested a 43-year-old man after uncovering evidence linking him to the seizure of illicit drugs and money seized at Port Adelaide.
Detectives also searched a property at Evanston Park where they arrested a 37-year-old man from Evanston Park after locating a further $25,000 in cash and evidence linking him to the seizure of illicit drugs and money seized at Port Adelaide.
All three men were charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug, trafficking in a commercial quantity and money laundering. They have been refused bail and will appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court today.
The cannabis seizure equates to about 53,000 street deals valued at about $1,325,000 and 500gm of cocaine equates to 500 street deals valued at about $175,000.
"The AFP works closely with the South Australia Police and other partner agencies to stop illicit drugs from reaching the community and causing harm. Criminal networks are constantly looking for ways to flout the laws for their own greed and profits and the COVID-19 border restrictions are no exception. Police will allege an inter-state truck driver was planning to use his status as an essential worker to transport drugs around the country. Criminals should not think they can exploit this global crisis. These arrests and seizures show that we are one step ahead and will continue disrupting criminal ventures and put people before the courts", said AFP Superintendent Gail McClure said.
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