A FRANKSTON resident has been charged with drug trafficking after police discovered what they say is more than $10 million worth of methyl-amphetamine last week.
Police seized more than 15 kilograms of the drug after pulling over a tow truck with Victorian plates in Wodonga, 20 July. The car was pulled over by officers as part of Operation Sentinel, enforcing Victoria’s lockdown.
Police allege that they found the drugs during a search of the tow truck. A statement from Victoria Police read “a subsequent forensic examination confirmed the substance concealed within the vehicle was more than 15kg of methyl-amphetamine, estimated to be worth up to $10 million street value.”
Two people were arrested, a 36-year-old Frankston man and a 28-year-old Balnarring man. Both were charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, and issued with fines for breaching Chief Health Officer directions. The alleged offenders were remanded to appear at Wodonga Magistrates Court, 14 October.
Wodonga Criminal Investigation Unit Senior Sergeant Garry Barton said “while the border patrols taking place as part of Operation Sentinel are playing a crucial role in keeping those from New South Wales without valid permits out of Victoria, they also allow our members to more easily identify and stop serious criminal behaviour such as this. This was a terrific piece of policing by our local members, which has resulted in the seizure and ultimately, the destruction of more than $10 million worth of methyl-amphetamine bound for our streets.”
“This is a significant drug bust, as we know the harm substances such as methyl-amphetamine cause to our communities. We will continue to ruthlessly target those looking to profit from drug transactions, which have severe consequences from a crime and public health perspective,” he said.