Raids on Melbourne drug syndicate

July 28th 2005 - Channel 10 news
Police who have arrested 13 men in connection with a multimillion-dollar drug syndicate believe they may also have foiled a kidnapping attempt of one of the gang's members.
Detective Acting Superintendent Bob Hill, from the major drug investigation division, said a team of 100 police officers arrested the men after simultaneous raids on properties across Melbourne at 5am.
They are being interviewed at St Kilda Road police complex.
Superintendent Hill said all the men, who are aged between 22 and 44, were expected to be charged with drug trafficking tonight.
Three men would also be charged with conspiracy to kidnap.
"It will be alleged that there was a recent dispute amongst the group, a faction of three were planning to kidnap one of their accomplices and hold him for $500,000 ransom," he said.
Superintendent Hill said the drugs had a total street value of $500,000 and included substantial quantities of heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis and amphetamines.
"At one address police also located a hydroponic cannabis crop, at another, a pill press," he said

Police also seized $400,000 worth of property alleged to have been bought with drug profits, including four luxury cars, home entertainment units, jewellery and watches.
Numerous weapons, including a loaded colt automatic pistol, a crossbow and swords were also seized, he said.
The raids took place in the Docklands, Yarraville, South Melbourne, Prahran, Northcote, Sydenham, Delahey, St Albans, Bundoora, Glen Waverley, Bentleigh East, Oakleigh South and Rowville.
Superintendent Hill said he hoped the dismantling of the group would dent the illicit drug trade in Victoria and act as a deterrent to other drug traffickers.
"This operation serves as a warning that Victoria Police will not tolerate the distribution and use of illicit drugs including those that some may perceive as safe, for example ecstasy, the incorrectly labelled 'recreational drug'," he said.
The raids were the culmination of Operation Rakus - a major drug investigation division operation targeting high-level drug syndicates that began in January

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Melbourne
• drug
• raid
• police
• raids
• drugs
• gang
• Foil
• kidnapping
• plot
• seize
• guns
• Australia
• cops
• crime

[420superdude]

lotus is hardly prestige car its consinder to be a entry level exotic

[VideoGamerHD]

My right ear is lonely...

[TheClarkey910]

my left ear enjoyed this :P

[wiseguy1989xx]

1:12 why did the cop take the tv? LOL must be evidence right *wink wink*