Officer's home raided in corruption probe

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Officer's home raided in corruption probe

July 29, 2005 - 12:05PM

 

A policeman's home was raided yesterday as part of an investigation into police corruption.

 

Victoria Police spokeswoman Creina O'Grady said the officer's home was searched because of a suspected drugs link.

 

"It's an ongoing investigation and there's been no charges,'' she said.

 

Sergeant O'Grady said the raid was part of an ethical standards department investigation.

 

It was not connected to the Operation Rakus raids yesterday, in which more than 100 police carried out pre-dawn raids on 16 properties across Melbourne.

 

"It was separate to the other raids,'' she said.

 

Detective Acting Superintendent Bob Hill said yesterday's raids were sparked by gang infighting, in which three members of drug syndicate allegedly planned to kidnap an accomplice and demand a $500,000 ransom.

 

Police seized drugs worth about $500,000, including 1500 ecstasy tablets, large quantities of heroin, amphetamine, cocaine and cannabis.

 

They also recovered four luxury cars, home entertainment systems, jewellery, computers, mobile phones, furniture, power tools and other items valued at about $400,000 and believed to have been bought with drug profits.

 

Weapons, including a loaded Colt automatic pistol, a crossbow and swords were also seized.

 

Detective Hill said the raids, the culmination of a seven-month investigation, would make major inroads into illicit drug dealing across the state.

 

"We believe these persons are involved in a high-level, large-scale drug network," he said.

 

The 13 men, who will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court today, face charges including trafficking a large commercial quantity of drugs.