Detectives from Taskforce Hawk have charged three men overnight as part of an investigation into an alleged $6.6M extortion of a Melbourne construction company in October last year.
Investigators will allege those involved falsely claimed to have acted as mediators between the company and union officials, purporting to have negotiated on their behalf to prevent disruptions at the company's building sites.
The company was then sent an invoice for $6.6M and allegedly extorted.
Three search warrants were executed yesterday morning (Thursday, 23 October) at residential addresses across Melbourne.
The warrants were executed with assistance from the Clandestine Laboratory Squad, Major Drug Squad and Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (JOCTF).
A 51-year-old Melbourne man, a 45-year-old Southbank man and a 45-year-old Hillside man have all been charged with extortion and refuse to comply with a data access order (provide passcode).
The Southbank man was also charged with attempt to obtain property by deception.
All three were bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 28 October for a filing hearing.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Operation Hawk was established in July 2024 to specifically target criminal behaviour linked to the construction industry and transitioned to Taskforce Hawk in June 2025.
This was in response to a number of fresh allegations of serious and violent criminal behaviour.
Taskforce Hawk is focused on assessing new intelligence and evidence relating to allegations of criminal behaviour linked to the construction industry.
It also continues to proactively target organised crime associated with the sector, including a focus on any individuals employed within the construction industry who have known links to outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Police are also instigating approaches with relevant industry stakeholders to gather intelligence, as well as working closely with a range of law enforcement partners, regulators and government authorities.
Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
