Gerald Lynch
The AFP has charged two alleged members of an Australian criminal syndicate accused of possessing and manufacturing large quantities of methamphetamine, after a clandestine laboratory was found in a Melbourne factory unit.
The men faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on October 23 after they were arrested at Epping and Airport West on Friday 20 October.
The arrests were the result of an investigation that started earlier this month, into a transnational and serious organised crime group suspected to be involved in the importation and manufacture of methamphetamine.
Investigations identified a warehouse in Epping that was believed to be linked to the syndicate.
Investigators found a clandestine laboratory in operation, which was allegedly being used to produce methamphetamine.
After the laboratory was dismantled, the AFP seized a commercial quantity of the drug, as well as chemicals involved in the manufacture and extraction of methamphetamine.
Both men were arrested and charged with possession of a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug reasonably suspected to have been imported, and manufacturing a commercial quantity of a controlled drug.
Authorities are investigating how the drugs got into the country.
AFP detective inspector Rick Briggs said it was an extremely important drug bust that otherwise would have severely impacted the community.
“This investigation has stopped a production line of methamphetamine from hitting Australian streets, and prevented millions of dollars of drug profit flowing back into the syndicate to fund their next criminal venture,” he said.
“Criminal syndicates involved in drug importations do not care about the harm they cause to Australian communities –from the violence between rival dealers that put innocent communities at risk, to the drug driving crashes and the thousands of methamphetamine related hospital admissions.
Victoria Police detective inspector Anthony Vella emphasised the dangerous nature of clandestine laboratories, and hopes this incident serves as a reminder to substance manufacturers that they will be caught and punished.
“They pose significant health and safety risks to the community and many of the chemicals involved in drug manufacture are highly volatile, explosive or carcinogenic in nature,” he said.
“We know that the trafficking and use of drugs is an enormous driver of serious and organised crime across the state and these offences are a key focus for Victoria Police right across the organisation.”
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