Police in Victoria arrested 29 people after dismantling two illegal casinos in Melbourne’s east, seizing $600,000 in cash, drugs, and weapons during a months-long investigation.
Victoria Police’s Clandestine Laboratory Squad, in collaboration with Taskforce VIPER and the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission, uncovered a network of illegal gambling operations linked to drug trafficking. The crackdown, spanning July to October, led to the arrest of 29 individuals, including foreign nationals, and the seizure of 7 kilograms of methamphetamine, 5 kilograms of ketamine, firearms, and illicit tobacco.
Timeline of Raids and Arrests
The operation began in July when police arrested nine people at a property in Bundoora, including a Thai national who was charged with possessing methamphetamine and possessing a stolen police uniform and a Malaysian national charged with trafficking methamphetamine. In August, detectives discovered a suspected illegal casino in Carnegie, where 15 individuals were interviewed and later charged with involvement in unauthorised gambling. A second casino was uncovered in Box Hill in October, leading to the arrest of a 43-year-old Chinese national and a 49-year-old Balwyn North man, both charged with drug and weapons offenses.
During a raid on 20 October, police seized four firearms, cash, and drug manufacturing equipment from a Balwyn North residence, resulting in the arrest of a 45-year-old woman. A 40-year-old South Melbourne woman was also charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of methamphetamine, which carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment. The investigation revealed large-scale gambling operations, with handwritten ledgers and casino chips found at multiple locations.
On 15 August, detectives executed a search warrant at a property in Carnegie, uncovering multiple gambling rooms and 15 offenders, including two staff members, who were interviewed and released. On 20 October, a second illegal casino was located in Box Hill, where two staff members were arrested. A 43-year-old Chinese national was charged with dealing with property suspected to be proceeds of crime, while a 49-year-old Balwyn North man faced similar charges. At a property in South Melbourne, police seized 7 kg of methamphetamine, 5 kg of ketamine, and $600,000 in cash.
Authorities Seize Cash, Weapons, and Illicit Products in Raids
Authorities reported seizing approximately $600,000 in cash, along with weapons including machetes, tasers, and swords. The raids also uncovered a significant quantity of illicit tobacco and vapes. The arrested individuals faced charges ranging from drug trafficking to possession of stolen goods. A Chinese man was charged with possessing methylamphetamine and prohibited weapons, while a Malaysian man faced allegations of trafficking methamphetamine and negligent dealing with proceeds of crime.
Detected in Balwyn North, the second casino led to the arrest of a 59-year-old Box Hill woman, who was charged with dealing with proceeds of crime. A 45-year-old Balwyn North woman was also charged with firearms offenses. The investigation highlighted the interconnected nature of illegal gambling and drug syndicates, with police emphasizing the need for public cooperation to combat such activities.
Other suspects remain in custody, with police expecting additional charges against those arrested at the initial Bundoora property. The case highlights the flow of narcotics between Victoria and Western Australia, as authorities have noted.
Authorities’ Response
Detective Inspector Carlie Kohler of Victoria Police’s Clandestine Laboratory Squad stated the arrests were critical to dismantling organised crime. Uncovering these casinos and putting an end to the illegal activities taking place inside them helps get drugs and weapons off the streets,
she said in a statement reported by ABC News. Kohler urged anyone with information on drug trafficking to come forward, stressing the ongoing efforts to reduce drug-related harm in the community.
Police also seized 7 kg of methamphetamine, 5 kg of ketamine, large quantities of illicit tobacco and vapes, five firearms, and other weapons including machetes, tasers, and swords. A Thai woman was charged with possessing methylamphetamine and being in possession of a stolen police uniform, while a Chinese man faced charges of possessing methylamphetamine and prohibited weapons.
Victoria Police emphasized the importance of community cooperation, with a public release stating, We need anyone with information on illicit drugs being imported, manufactured or trafficked to come forward.
The raids targeted properties in Carnegie, Box Hill, Balwyn North, and South Melbourne, with detectives executing search warrants on multiple occasions. The case highlights the ongoing efforts to combat organised crime and drug-related activities in the region.