Latrobe Valley man charged after $600k worth of drugs, boxes of Lego seized by police
/A Latrobe Valley man has had his Lego collection confiscated after police seized more than $600,000 worth of drugs.
Key points:
- Police confiscated 74 boxes of Lego and some designer watches as well as a chemical that mirrors the drug GHB
- A 45-year-old Morwell man is facing 10 charges
- He did not apply for bail when he appeared in Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court on Friday
John Booth, 45, was arrested after police from Fawkner searched five properties in Morwell, Essendon North, Brunswick and South Melbourne.
Police say they seized 180 kilograms of 1,4-butanediol, a chemical that mimics the drug GHB when ingested, 34kg of iodine and 32kg of hypophosphorus acid, which are both precursors in methylamphetamine production.
Illegal steroids, methylamphetamine, a handgun, an extendable baton, ammunition and three digital devices were also seized.
Police said the search uncovered 74 boxes of Lego, one Rolex watch and four Breitling watches, which investigators believe were purchased with the proceeds of crime.
Mr Booth is facing 10 charges, including trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, committing an indictable offence on bail, and dealing with property suspected of being the proceeds of a crime.
He faced Latrobe Magistrates' Court on Friday morning, did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody to appear in court in April.
Fawkner Divisional Response Unit Detective Acting Sergeant Brad Hobbs said 1,4-butanediol was sold at an "enormous profit, but also with enormous community harm".
"Overwhelmingly what users believe is GHB is actually 1,4-butanediol," he said.
"The drug can be unpredictable and the difference between survival and a fatal overdose can be very small.
"There is absolutely no safe amount to ingest — that's why we're committed to removing it from unintended hands."