In a significant crackdown on a suspected drug trafficking and money laundering ring, ten men have been charged following an extensive investigation that spanned across Australia.
The three-month-long operation led authorities to seize approximately 114 kilograms of methamphetamine, 6.3 kilograms of heroin, 4 kilograms of ketamine, and over $1.13 million believed to be illicit profits from criminal activities.
On April 28, law enforcement officers arrested five individuals, including a man alleged to be the ringleader, during a series of raids in Perth suburbs such as Eglinton, Secret Harbour, Coodanup, High Wycombe, Queens Park, and Dudley Park.
Police claim the raids revealed jewelry suspected to be tied to illegal operations, along with around $390,000 in cash, 33 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 1.4 kilograms of heroin.
A 28-year-old Eglinton resident faces several charges, among them dealing with proceeds of crime, supplying heroin, and attempting to possess a significant quantity of methamphetamine with the intent to sell.
This individual is scheduled to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on May 20.
Several other men have also been charged over their alleged roles, with court dates set in Perth, Rockingham, Fremantle and Adelaide.
The arrests follow a series of key developments in the case. In February, officers searched a storage unit in Scarborough and will allege they located 20 kilograms of methamphetamine, three kilograms of ketamine, a handgun and ammunition.
A 34-year-old man was charged and remains in custody.
In March, investigators stopped a four-wheel drive in Mundaring, where police will allege 24 kilograms of methamphetamine and 3.5 kilograms of heroin were found. Two men were charged.
Weeks later, another vehicle was intercepted in Norseman, with officers alleging about 34 kilograms of methamphetamine was uncovered. A 31-year-old man was charged.
A further arrest was made in South Australia last week. A 23-year-old man from Mawson Lakes has been charged with money laundering and bailed to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court in June.
Authorities say the drugs seized could have been broken down into more than 1.1 million individual street deals, with an estimated value of more than $57 million.
WA Police Detective Acting Inspector Craig Mellors said organised crime groups attempting to operate in the state would face swift action.
“Western Australia is not an open market for organised crime, and this investigation shows exactly what will happen to those who test that,” he said.
Investigations are ongoing. Further arrests have not been ruled out.
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