Thursday afternoon 14 August has seen transit police uncover a trove of illicit substances and three people arrested at a residential address in Upper Ferntree Gully
The search of a suspect commuter led to transit police uncovering more than 120,000 illegal cigarettes during a warrant at Upper Ferntree Gully yesterday.
The warrant came about last week after Protective Services Officers were patrolling the Belgrave line as part of a vehicle theft operation, when they came across a commuter allegedly carrying an open can of alcohol and smelling of cannabis.
A search of the man located methylamphetamine, cannabis and more than $1770 cash.
The man was charged and bailed, but police – from Transit East Local Area Command – didn’t stop there and obtained a search warrant, then on Thursday attended the man’s Upper Ferntree Gully address.
Officers uncovered more than they bargained for, with more than a dozen boxes of illicit tobacco stored at the premises.
Inside the boxes were more than 120,000 cigarettes.
Police also located a large knife, methylamphetamine, cannabis, and allegedly stolen alcohol.
The 44-year-old occupant was arrested and charged with possessing the proceeds of crime (illicit tobacco and alcohol), possessing methylamphetamine, possessing cannabis and possessing a prohibited weapon.
The charges were in addition to his train station arrest on 7 August where he was charged with possessing a traffickable quantity of methylamphetamine, possessing cannabis and possessing the proceeds of crime ($1771 cash).
The Upper Ferntree Gully man was bailed to appear before the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 30 September.
Two women, aged 53 and 57, were also arrested at the address.
It’s expected they will be charged on summons with a number of offences including possessing the proceeds of crime (illicit tobacco).
The investigation into the origin of the illegal cigarettes remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
