OMEN
04-28-2006, 09:55 PM
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Milad ... two counts of trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamines and one count of possessing the drug
POLICE have stepped up their war against organised drug syndicates, charging the brother of fugitive millionaire Tony Mokbel with serious drugs offences.
Detectives investigating Melbourne's underworld war raided the home of Milad Mokbel, 38, on Tuesday night in simultaneous raids that also uncovered a drug laboratory operating near a school. Police claim the lab was capable of producing $1million worth of amphetamines a week.
Milad Mokbel was taken into custody and charged with two counts of trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamines and one count of possessing the drug.
The 38-year-old did not apply for bail and has been remanded in custody until July 19.
Two other men were also charged as a result of the raids.
A large quantity of drugs, $80,000 in cash and equipment used in the manufacture of methamphetamines were also seized. Milad Mokbel's name had been suppressed by magistrate Michael Coghlan until yesterday. Prosecutor Sue Pullen SC told the court on Wednesday she was concerned the release of Mokbel's name could jeopardise an ongoing police investigation.
Vicpol says that despite increased surveillance, as many as 50 drug laboratories a year are uncovered in Victoria, ranging from backyard operations to sophisticated commercial enterprises capable of manufacturing millions of dollars worth of recreational drugs such as speed and ecstasy.
The arrest is seen as a boost to Victorian law enforcement agencies, who were embarrassed after Antonios "Fat Tony" Mokbel absconded just days before being convicted over a plot to import almost 3kg of cocaine from Mexico.
Mokbel, now one of Australia's most wanted men, is believed to have hid in rural Victoria before fleeing overseas.
NewsAU
Milad ... two counts of trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamines and one count of possessing the drug
POLICE have stepped up their war against organised drug syndicates, charging the brother of fugitive millionaire Tony Mokbel with serious drugs offences.
Detectives investigating Melbourne's underworld war raided the home of Milad Mokbel, 38, on Tuesday night in simultaneous raids that also uncovered a drug laboratory operating near a school. Police claim the lab was capable of producing $1million worth of amphetamines a week.
Milad Mokbel was taken into custody and charged with two counts of trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamines and one count of possessing the drug.
The 38-year-old did not apply for bail and has been remanded in custody until July 19.
Two other men were also charged as a result of the raids.
A large quantity of drugs, $80,000 in cash and equipment used in the manufacture of methamphetamines were also seized. Milad Mokbel's name had been suppressed by magistrate Michael Coghlan until yesterday. Prosecutor Sue Pullen SC told the court on Wednesday she was concerned the release of Mokbel's name could jeopardise an ongoing police investigation.
Vicpol says that despite increased surveillance, as many as 50 drug laboratories a year are uncovered in Victoria, ranging from backyard operations to sophisticated commercial enterprises capable of manufacturing millions of dollars worth of recreational drugs such as speed and ecstasy.
The arrest is seen as a boost to Victorian law enforcement agencies, who were embarrassed after Antonios "Fat Tony" Mokbel absconded just days before being convicted over a plot to import almost 3kg of cocaine from Mexico.
Mokbel, now one of Australia's most wanted men, is believed to have hid in rural Victoria before fleeing overseas.
NewsAU