Three men have been arrested in Melbourne after 45 kilos of cocaine were found hidden in a jukebox imported from Greece.
Most important points:
- Three men, including a Greek national, were arrested for consignment of cocaine
- Police say they seized drugs worth $20 million as part of their investigation
- Luxury goods and vehicles were also seized in police raids
Police estimate the drugs were worth around $20 million and were found earlier this month by Australian Border Force agents.
The shipment was delivered to an address in Sunshine North, where the police arrested the three men on Wednesday.
Yesterday, a 39-year-old Spotswood man, a 26-year-old Reservoir man and a 66-year-old Greek national court appeared in court.
The two local men face drug import charges and the Greek national has been released pending further investigation.
Police also raided homes in Spotswood and Reservoir and commercial buildings in Toorak and Kingsville and seized luxury vehicles, watches, jewelry, drugs and cash.
Acting Superintendent Andrew Stamper said the arrests followed a four-month investigation into drug imports by a Melbourne-based syndicate.
“We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who harm our state are held accountable, and that these criminal syndicates are a powerful and deliberate target,” he said.
Police said the men arrested this week were “key members of the syndicate”.
Posted † updated