A Melbourne man with alleged links to a Vietnamese illicit drug and tobacco trafficking syndicate has been charged for allegedly possessing illicit drugs and proceeds of crime.
The criminal syndicate is alleged to be responsible for the failed importation of 92kg of illicit drugs and more than 477,000 cigarettes into Australia in February, 2025.
The Ascot Vale man, 65, appeared before Melbourne Magistrates Court today (18 July, 2025) charged with:
- One count of possession of a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug reasonably suspected of having been unlawfully imported, contrary to section 307.8 of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of dealing in property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime worth $100,000 or more, contrary to section 400.9(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
If convicted, he faces maximum imprisonment of life for the drug charge, and 10 years for the proceeds of crime offence.
An AFP investigation after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers in Sydney and Melbourne detected 92kg of illicit drugs and more than 477,000 cigarette sticks spread across four separate consignments in February.
The consignments, which originated in Vietnam, were labelled as containing clothing such as leggings, hats and socks, and concealed about 55kg of methamphetamine, 35kg of heroin and 2kg of MDMA.
ABF officers detected the first three consignments in Sydney and referred the matter to the AFP for investigation.
AFP enquiries revealed they had similar billing details, and were all redirected to a logistics facility in Bankstown, NSW, after arriving in Australia.
On 25 February, 2025, ABF officers in Melbourne examined a consignment with similar billing details, and found cigarettes, methamphetamine, and small amounts of MDMA and heroin.
Further enquiries into a phone number linked to the consignment allegedly revealed a Vietnamese drug trafficking organisation using multiple burner phones to evade law enforcement.
Police allegedly then linked the man to a burner phone registered to the consignments.
While in possession of the burner phone, it's alleged the man travelled from Melbourne to Sydney on numerous occasions in February.
A search warrant was executed at the man's Ascot Vale home on 17 July, 2025. Items seized included about $130,000 in cash, 3kg of methamphetamine and 1kg of cocaine, and four mobile phones.
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said illicit drugs attracted violence to Australian communities and caused irreparable harm to users.
"Even in small amounts, drugs cause immense harm to users, their loved ones, and the community around them, through the impact on the health care system and associated crime," Det-Supt Blunden said.
"Criminals are reminded their actions are traceable, and law enforcement agencies around Australia work closely every day to detect and disrupt criminal activity.
"Our investigations into this alleged drug trafficking organisation are ongoing, and we're interested in learning who else is involved in this criminal enterprise."
ABF Acting Superintendent Shaun Baker said that organised crime groups who attempted to smuggle illicit drugs and goods into Australia would face full responsibility for their actions.
"The ABF continues to work closely alongside its state and federal partners in its pursuit of criminal entities who seek profits at the expense of our community," a/Supt Baker said.
"Our intelligence led targeting of organised crime groups extends well beyond our borders, and our message to them is clear: we will utilise all means at our disposal to intercept and apprehend you and to prevent these highly addictive substances from hitting our streets."
