A Whittlesea man, a Kalkallo man and a Kalkallo woman were among five people arrested by Victoria Police’s criminal proceeds squad last week as part of an investigation into a money-laundering syndicate.
Police seized more than $1 million in cash on Wednesday, also arresting an Epping man and an Epping woman.
Detectives executed search warrants at four properties, including one in Whittlesea, one in Kalkallo and two in Epping.
The $1 million in cash was found at the Kalkallo address, while police also discovered cash, gold, jewellery and drugs believed to be methamphetamine and opium at the other properties.
Police allege one of the Epping addresses contained two clandestine drug laboratories.
Victoria Police Crime Command Detective Superintendent Geri Porter said he expected the Whittlesea man, 35, Kalkallo man, 36, Kalkallo woman, 31, Epping man, 29, and Epping woman, 34, to be charged with an array of drugs and proceeds of crime offences.
He said the six-month investigation came after police received information relating to money laundering and drug trafficking by a syndicate in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.
“[The] arrests and seizures are testament to the work currently being done at the criminal proceeds squad to proactively target money laundering syndicates choosing to operate within Victoria,” he said.
“One million dollars is not spare change – this is a significant seizure and one that will prevent that money being re-invested to cause further harm to the community.
“This outcome highlights the commitment by police to do everything we can to ensure criminals do not get to benefit from the proceeds of their crimes and that they are held accountable for their actions.
“We’re also again seeing the links between organised crime syndicates and drugs, and being able to effectively shut down two drug labs and seize a quantity of what’s believed to be methamphetamine is highly satisfying.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information on organised crime activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppers.vic.com.au.
