Six men faced with drug trafficking charges as ACT Policing seize $1.5 million in assets

Detective Superintendent Scott Moller said the investigation had been ongoing for a number of years. Photo: Lachlan Roberts

Five Canberra men will face court today (Monday, 23 April) with charges of drug trafficking after police seized an estimated $1.5 million worth of drugs and other assets in a series of raids over the weekend.

Detective Superintendent Scott Moller said police executed 15 search warrants across Canberra and seized more than $100,000 in cash, six vehicles, drugs, a house, bank accounts and jewellery.

Members of the Criminal Investigation team executed the raids across Canberra as part of Operation Tribulation and seized drugs which included cocaine, MDMA, cannabis and anabolic steroids.

One of the men also faces drug importation charges, while a sixth man was arrested in NSW and will face extradition to the ACT in the coming days.

Detective Superintendent Moller said the investigation had been ongoing for a number of years and remained ongoing.

Detective Superintendent Moller told media this morning that ACT Policing had worked with NSW Police, the Australian Taxation Office and various agencies in Australia and overseas with the investigation.

“The seizures were significant but probably the most important aspect of this operation is the members that were arrested,” Detective Superintendent Moller said.

“They were significant players in an organised crime syndicate.”

Detective Superintendent Moller said seizing the financial assets was a key component of their investigative strategy.

“We are committed not only to prosecuting offenders but to stripping them of their wealth and any assets derived from serious and crime,” he said. “My message [to criminal organisations] would be if you are selling drugs in Canberra, either myself or one of my team will be knocking on your door.”