Drugs charges for Yuroke man

(Joe Mastroianni). 245950_02

A Yuroke man was among six people arrested as part an investigation into gang members and associates linked to a series of financial deceptions involving government agencies.

Police executed warrants were executed from 7am on Wednesday, August 17 by a number of units including Gang Crime Squad, Echo Taskforce, VIPER Taskforce, Melbourne Embona Taskforce and Melbourne Criminal Investigation Unit.

Investigators have also worked in collaboration with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Search warrants were executed at residential properties in Donvale, Fitzroy, Weir Views and Brunswick West.

Police also charged a 24-year-old Donvale man with knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, possessing proceeds of crime, trafficking commercial quantity drug of dependence, and possessing drug of dependence.

He appeared at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday.

A 24-year-old Fitzroy man, a 22-year-old Fitzroy woman and a 21-year-old Weir Views man were interviewed in relation to the offences of obtain property by deception and knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime and are all expected to be charged on summons.

It’s believed the four arrested were involved in almost $215,000 worth of fraudulent payments.

During the execution of the warrants two men were arrested on unrelated matters.

A 23-year-old Richmond man was charged with possessing drug of dependence, trafficking drug of dependence and possess proceeds of crime.

A 25-year-old Yuroke man was charged with possessing drug of dependence and issued with a cannabis caution.