Four men linked to an alleged Melbourne-based organised crime syndicate manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine appeared at Melbourne Magistrate’s Court on 20 November 2024.
The arrests were made by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Victoria Police during a sweeping operation on 19 November.
Three men—aged 30, 39, and 41—were apprehended in Albert Park, although the 41-year-old was later released pending further investigations. A fourth man, aged 39, was arrested at his home in Macleod, while a fifth, aged 35, was taken into custody in Port Melbourne.
The Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (VIC JOCTF) launched Operation Greenwell Point to investigate the alleged syndicate. Authorities claim the group converted liquid methamphetamine into a potent crystalline form for distribution across Melbourne, seizing $180,000 in cash, 9kg of methamphetamine, and precursor chemicals during 15 search warrants executed across the city.
Among the items confiscated were 23 litres of 1,4 butanediol, a crypto wallet, a cash counting machine, and a specialised dehydrator allegedly used to process the liquid methamphetamine into crystal meth.
The Docklands man (39) faces charges of trafficking and manufacturing commercial quantities of methamphetamine, dealing with proceeds of crime exceeding $100,000, and obstructing officials. The Airport West man (30) and Highett man (35) face similar trafficking and possession charges, while the Macleod man (39) is charged with trafficking a border-controlled drug.
Authorities estimate the seized methamphetamine could have been distributed in 9,000 street-level deals, potentially inflicting widespread harm.
AFP Detective Inspector David Macgregor condemned the syndicate’s greed, highlighting the societal damage caused by methamphetamine use, from domestic violence to road trauma. Victoria Police Detective Inspector Dan Ryan echoed these concerns, noting the ripple effects of drug-related harm.
“This result reflects our commitment to dismantling criminal networks profiting from illicit drugs,” Det-Insp Macgregor stated.
ABF Superintendent Ben Michalke warned criminal groups: “No matter where you are in the chain, we will catch up with you.”
Investigations into the group’s operations are ongoing.
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