$7.5m haul in drug ring bust

MORE than $7.5 million worth of illicit drugs were seized and two men arrested after Casey CIU this month busted an extensive drug ring with several local links.
The joint AFP, customs and Casey police investigation – known as Operation Bigcray – saw more than two tonnes of the drug 1,4-Butanediol, similar to GHB, seized across four locations in Endeavour Hills and Dandenong on Tuesday 7 and Thursday 9 April.
In addition to the $7 million drug haul, it’s believed alleged stolen property and weapons were seized by police, while assets were also frozen.
A 30-year-old man from Endeavour Hills and a 42-year-old man from Narre Warren were arrested in relation to the bust.
The Endeavour Hills man has been remanded in custody and charged with drug trafficking, possession of proceeds of crimes, possession of stolen property and weapons offences.
He is set to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in July.
The Narre Warren man was released, pending further inquiries.
The drug haul was seized after four seperate warrants were issued across two days.
It’s understood the first property raided was in Endeavour Hills, and this led police to three separate storage sheds in Dandenong.
Detective Senior Sergeant Stuart Freeman praised the Casey CIU drug team on carrying out an “excellent job”, which, he said, had taken several months of planning.
1,4-Butanediol – a colourless and odourless liquid colloquially referred to as BD – is listed as an illicit drug precursor which can be metabolised in the liver to form GHB.
GHB is an illegal drug in Australia.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
– LACHLAN MOORHEAD