Charges laid, cash, luxury watches, vehicles and drugs seized – Brighton

Detectives from ICARUS Taskforce have charged a man overnight and seized almost $80,000 in cash, luxury vehicles and watches and various drugs following an investigation into drug trafficking.

With assistance from Caulfield Divisional Response Unit, a warrant was executed at a residential address in Brighton early yesterday morning (Thursday, 30 May).

A 36-year-old man, an unlawful non-citizen, was charged with traffick large commercial quantity ketamine, traffick large commercial quantity methylamphetamine, traffick cocaine and deal with property suspected proceeds of crime.

He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 8 August.

During the search, investigators seized varying quantities of what appear to be MDMA, ketamine and cocaine, as well as almost $80,000 in cash, a 2021 Ducati motorcycle, a 2015 BMW X5, a 2021 Toyota Hilux, three luxury watches – made by Rolex, Tag Heuer and Edox, and a new Pioneer DJ set up, valued at approximately $20,000.

The investigation commenced following a number of drug seizures detected by the Australian Border Force (ABF).

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information on illicit drug activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Dan Ryan, ICARUS Taskforce:

“We are all only too aware of the devastating impacts illicit drugs have on our entire community.

“Victoria Police remains absolutely committed to targeting those people who are not only selling it to vulnerable Victorians but also profiting heavily from it.

“Detectives have worked tirelessly on this investigation over many months, but we know our work here is not yet done.

“Our focus will remain on those selling harmful drugs to our community.”

/Public Release. View in full here.