A luxury yacht, Cartier and Rolex jewelry, millions of dollars and cocaine: Police arrested FIFTY TWO in a $47 million organized crime bust
- More than $47 million in assets seized in AFP raids
- Police executed more than 60 arrest warrants across Victoria
- More than 50 people have been arrested and charged in the raids
More than 50 people have been arrested and assets worth nearly $50 million seized after police busted one of Victoria’s largest crime syndicates.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Victoria Police executed more than 60 arrest warrants in Melbourne and regional Victoria during the years of investigation.
Specialized agents seized more than $47 million in assets, including 60 properties, multiple luxury cars and a yacht worth nearly $800,000.
The raids also seized $2.2 million in cash, a Rolex, a Cartier bracelet, five paintings by notable Australian artists and more than 107 kg of methylamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and firearms, including a harpoon gun and brass knuckles.
Victoria Police and the AFP cracked down on a massive organized crime syndicate, making over 60 arrests (Photo: A luxury yacht seized by police)
The raids also seized $2.2 million in cash, a Rolex, a Cartier bracelet, five paintings by notable Australian artists and more than 107 kg of methylamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and firearms, including a harpoon gun and brass knuckles.
A total of 52 people were arrested and charged with a range of crimes, including possession of firearms and dealing with the proceeds of crime and trafficking large amounts of illegal drugs.
Nine people have been convicted and remain in court.
Police have also prevented the group from receiving any income through tenants currently living in a series of rental properties in Victoria.
Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill, Victoria Police Crime Command, said police were working to remove “every ounce of advantage they had gained from their offence”.
The arrest comes just days after six men were charged after six tonnes of meth concealed in canola oil bottles were seized by police en route to Melbourne.
Police estimate that about $1.7 billion worth of methamphetamine was stopped from hitting the streets as a result of the large bust.
Police made 52 arrests and seized nearly $50 million in assets, including artwork, jewelry (pictured), 60 properties and designer jewelry
The drugs were hidden in shipments from Canada, with most of the units seized before being shipped to Australia.
The AFP said the joint operation with Canadian authorities and other agencies led to the seizure of six tons of liquid and crystal meth.
That’s the equivalent of 19 million hits of the highly addictive drug.
The arrests are just the latest in a string of major drug busts over the past year.
Recent major arrests include about $1.6 billion in drugs discovered in Sydney hidden in marble stone and $1 billion in cocaine bound for the WA coast.