Police have arrested two more people this week as part of a Taskforce Icarus investigation into the importation of methylamphetamine into Melbourne.
A 23-year-old Wantirna South man and a 31-year-old Oakleigh South man, both Chinese nationals, were arrested at their home addresses yesterday.
The pair were subsequently interviewed by police and have both been charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.
They faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court last night and were both remanded in custody to appear again at a later date.
Warrants were executed at their properties by detectives from Taskforce Icarus, Trident Taskforce, Box Hill Divisional Tasking Unit and Croydon Divisional Tasking Unit, with assistance from Australian Border Force, Australian federal Police and Department of Home Affairs.
A number of items were seized from the addresses including a quantity of cannabis, prohibited weapons including knives and a baton, and electronic devices.
Yesterday's arrests follow the previous arrest of three men earlier this year as part of this investigation.
On 4 April, police arrested a 24-year-old Glen Waverley man, 36-year-old Doncaster man and a 20-year-old Bundoora man in Doncaster East on Monday night.
The trio were interviewed and subsequently charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs.
All three were remanded in custody.
Police also seized a number of items from the vehicles the men were travelling in, including over 3kg of methylamphetamine, drug paraphernalia including scales, a firearm, knuckle dusters, tools, passports, radio equipment and mobile phones.
The five 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.
In total, about 40kg of methylamphetamine has been seized as part of this investigation, which has a street value of approximately $20M.
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
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Craig Darlow, Trident Taskforce:
"It's incredibly satisfying to arrest two more people in relation to this investigation and highlights the determination of police to hold everyone involved in this matter to account.
"There are significant penalties associated with these drug offences and we now have five people potentially facing lifetime imprisonment.
"This was a syndicate who planned to bring immense harm to our local community and Victoria Police will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to target anyone who looks to bring illicit drugs into our state."
Quotes attributable to ABF Superintendent Uriah Turner, Regional Investigations:
"Drug traffickers targeting Australia should be on notice.
"ABF officers are determined to stop drugs at the border and we work closely with our law enforcement partners to bring criminals who import drugs into the country to justice.
"Every deal that makes it to the street has the potential to cause death or serious harm. That is why we continue to work hard to stop these drugs reaching our communities where they can cause so much damage."
Quotes attributable to AFP Detective Inspector Julian Bianco:
"The AFP will continue to target those attempting to evade the law and import illicit drugs.
"We remain committed to keeping our communities safe by targeting the dangerous criminals who try to bring these destructive drugs to our streets.
This should send a clear message that the AFP will continue to work tirelessly with our partners, both domestically and internationally, to make Australia a hostile place for anyone involved in the illicit drug trade. To those believing they can get away with this without any consequences, think again. If you attempt to import illicit drugs into Australia, you will be caught and face time in prison."
