A cocaine-laced frozen chicken truck tried to cross the Hume Freeway, but did not make it to the other side.
Authorities say they’ve busted a drug smuggling ring, with nearly 500 kilograms of illicit drugs worth tens of millions of dollars seized in Melbourne, including 120 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside frozen chicken products.
A 42-year-old Windsor man was arrested and charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of methamphetamine and cocaine on Monday following an investigation into an organised crime syndicate.
A 23-year-old truck driver was arrested and charged with trafficking in a large commercial quantity of cocaine on August 24.
Police found the cocaine hidden in frozen chicken products in the cargo during an inspection as the truck travelled between Melbourne and Sydney.
Both of the accused are facing life in prison.
A special task force of officers from the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police, Australian Border Force, Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission was established to investigate the elaborate syndicate.
Police also allege the syndicate was operating a drug safe house.
An additional 50 kilograms of cocaine was seized in the north-west Melbourne suburb of Cairnlea on October 19.
This was followed by 285 kilograms of methamphetamine and 15 kilograms of cocaine which was found after a search warrant was executed on the suspected drug safe house.
Victoria Police acting commander Paul O’Halloran said the drugs can cause harm to the community.
“However it’s not only about the drugs – the money they bring into these syndicates also helps facilitate a myriad of other serious and violent offending,” he said.
“Time and time again we see the impact illicit drugs have at all levels, whether that’s assaults, burglaries, drug driving, right through to the health impacts.”
The investigation is ongoing.
