TWO people have now been charged with murder after the disappearance of a Colombian national from Chelsea Heights last year.
28-year-old Sergio Cuesta was dropped off at a house on Jabiru Drive in Chelsea Heights at around 8.15pm on 16 September last year. He did not tell the friend dropping him off why he was going there, and has not been seen since.
Cuesta was reported missing by a friend on 21 September. He has not contacted family in Colombia since his disappearance.
In a statement police said that they believe his disappearance is suspicious. Cuesta was subject to an expired student visa, was on bail for drug offences, and was “known to have contact with people suspected to be involved in drug trafficking”, a police statement read.
On 30 January police raided two properties in Mount Eliza and Cranbourne and arrested a 49-year-old Mt Eliza man. He was charged with murder and remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 24 April, 2024.
Police allege they found and seized six firearms, a pill press, various quantities of dried cannabis and cocaine, cannabis crops, a crossbow, and a conducted energy device from Mt Eliza. A 48-year-old Cranbourne man was also interviewed by police that day but was released.
On Saturday 3 February, police arrested a 25-year-old Flagstone man at Melbourne Airport. He was charged with murder and remanded to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on 5 February.
The Flagstone man was allegedly traveling to Queensland. Police seized cash from him.
A 25-year-old Logan Reserve man and a 23-year-old Flagstone woman were also arrested in Brisbane on 3 February. Police say they will make an application for extradition to Victoria.
At the time of his disappearance the missing man (pictured) was wearing a black t-shirt, black pants and black sneakers. He is described as being about 170cms tall with a solid build and dark hair.
Anyone with information about him can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 7 February 2024