The owner of a well-known anti-aging clinic has been charged following an investigation into an alleged steroid trafficking scheme that saw police seize $950,000 in cash and 17 luxury cars worth millions of dollars from a nearby factory.
The Melbourne Sports Medicine and Anti-Aging Clinic in Moonee Ponds, in Melbourne’s northwest, was raided by officers on Thursday.
Police reportedly discovered a large quantity of illegal prescription drugs at the clinic, including steroids and human growth hormones.
The arrest followed a five-month investigation that saw detectives shortly later arrest alleged business owner, 54-year-old Robin James Taylor, at a factory in Somerton in Melbourne’s north.
Police searched the factory and seized approximately $950,000 in cash from a safe and a gold Louis Vuitton table and chair with an estimated value of $250,000.
Officers were seen towing 17 luxury cars from the factory, including two Lamborghinis, a Porsche, a Corvette and a Mercedes-AMG.
The Melbourne Sports Medicine and Anti-Aging Clinic in Moonee Ponds, in Melbourne’s northwest, was raided by Victoria Police on Thursday
They also seized six Holden Toranas, including a VK SS Peter Brock worth $1 million.
Agents alleged that the cars, which had a combined value of about $4 million, were proceeds from Taylor’s business dealings.
Detective Senior Sergeant Raj Tillekeratne said up to 50 luxury cars were stationed at the Somerton factory, which was surrounded by an electric fence.
The senior sergeant said most of the illegal drugs allegedly found at the clinic were related to anti-aging and bodybuilding.
“The business model we believe these organized crime figures have been using is to sell prescription drugs without proper licensing to amass wealth,” he told the newspaper. Herald Sun.
A house in Yarrambat, in Melbourne’s northeast, was also searched by police.
Detectives arrested the alleged business owner, 55-year-old Robin James Taylor, a short time later at a factory in Somerton in Melbourne’s north (he is pictured)
Officers towed 17 luxury cars from the Somerton factory, including two Lamborghinis, a Porsche, a Corvette and a Mercedes-AMG (one of the seized Lamborghinis is pictured)
Detective Senior Sergeant Raj Tillekeratne said up to 50 luxury cars were stationed at the Somerton factory, which was surrounded by an electric fence.
Police have charged Taylor with several offenses, including trafficking in a commercial quantity of prescription drugs, trafficking in a commercial quantity of steroid drugs and trafficking in testosterone.
He faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday, where he was refused bail after his lawyer failed to prove he was in exceptional circumstances.
Prosecutors alleged Taylor sold drugs, including steroids, without medical qualifications on the premises, and used a blank prescription book already signed by a NSW-based doctor to give customers drugs.
Taylor is scheduled to appear in court on June 21.