Police seize cash, drugs and firearms in multiple search warrants

Publish date: Wednesday, 9 December 2020, Publish time: 9:21am

ACT Policing has seized a large amount of cash, drugs, firearms and other property suspected of being the proceeds of crime during the execution of search warrants at five premises across Canberra on Tuesday (8 December 2020).

A 37-year-old man was arrested and will face the ACT Magistrates Court on charges including trafficking in a prescribed drug other than cannabis and possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of crime.

ACT Policing Detective Sergeant John Giles said the amount of property seized means police have made an impact on the local drug trade.

“What we saw yesterday was a drug dealer with houses full of luxury items, bought with money they’ve made off other people’s drug use,” Detective Sergeant Giles said.

“The investigation in this case was comprehensive. The more we looked, the more we discovered and yesterday it was time to take the next step in our investigation.

“To remove hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of drugs from Canberra and confiscate hundreds of thousands of dollars’ of the proceeds of crime takes this result to another level.

“If you’re dealing drugs in Canberra, we’ll arrest you and seize your drugs. We’ll confiscate anything you’ve bought with drug money, and we’ll put you before the courts.”

Yesterday’s warrants were executed in Gordon, Hume, Chisholm, and on two premises in Calwell, and among the property seized were:

  • More than $130 000 in cash
  • 800 grams of a substance suspected of being methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $1.1 million
  • Three motorcycles (Suzuki, Harley-Davidson, and KTM models)
  • A racing go-kart
  • A Seadoo JetSki
  • A Holden GTS Commodore
  • A Ford Raptor
  • A semi-automatic firearm, and twelve other prohibited weapons
  • Thousands of commemorative coins suspected of being stolen from the Royal Australian Mint

The total value of the property seized, and alleged to be the proceeds of crime, is estimated to be in excess of $500 000.

Police will oppose bail, and expect to lay further charges against the man.

Broadcast quality pictures and video can be downloaded from Hightail.

Police urge anyone who may have any information regarding the manufacture, sale or distribution of illicit drugs to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au

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