Lilydale man among charged after commercial quantity of drugs seized in the east

A 42-year-old Lilydale man was arrested and charged after a 14-month investigation into an alleged drug trafficking ring. (Victoria Police)

A Lilydale man was among three arrested after $12,000 of 1,4-Butanediol was seized in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

The arrests follow a 14-month investigation led by the Croydon Divisional Response Unit into an alleged drug trafficking ring operating across Lilydale and Mordialloc.

On Wednesday 9 October, Croydon DRU with support from Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit, Special Operations Group, and Dog Squad executed two search warrants in Lilydale and Mordialloc.

Detectives executed a search warrant in Lilydale, where they seized 7.75 litres of 1,4-Butanediol stored in professionally packaged bottles. Other drugs seized include methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, psilocybin and buprenorphine.

A second search warrant was executed at a factory in Mordialloc where detectives located and seized three allegedly stolen passports and other fraudulent documents. Police also seized buprenorphine strips at the address.

A 42-year-old Lilydale man was arrested and charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of 1,4-Butanediol, trafficking methylamphetamine, eight charges for drug possession, possessing proceeds of crime, and failing to stop on police direction. He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 25 January 2025.

A 42-year-old Mordialloc man was arrested and charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of 1,4-Butanediol, trafficking methylamphetamine, failing to appear while on bail, handle stolen goods, and failing to provide information. He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 25 January 2025.

Also arrested was a 44-year-old Mordialloc woman who was charged with failing to nominate driver. She was bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates Court on 6 December.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information about illicit drug trafficking or criminal activity is urged to call local police or make an anonymous report via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.