NORTH-WEST EDITION
Melbourne
Observer FREE COPY INSIDE
BRIMBANK • HOBSONS BAY • HUME • MARIBYRNONG • MELTON • MERRI-BEK • MOONEE VALLEY • MOORABOOL • WYNDHAM Local and Independent. Not associated with any other publication in this area.
Phone: 9489 2222.
www.LocalPaper.com.au
www.AdvertiseFree.com.au
Incorporating the Coburg Courier, Moreland Courier, Brunswick Sentinel, Hume Observer, Moonee Valley Gazette, Essendon Gazette, Brimbank Messenger, Keilor Messenger, Sunbury Regional News, Merri-bek, Merri-bek Local Paper, Merri-bek News and Merri-bek Courier.
‘The Local Paper’ is published by Local Media Pty Ltd
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2025
Specialising in: • Full Bathroom Renovations • Tiling • Plastering • Plumbing • All Your Home Maintenance Needs
Supply and Fit Shower Screens Pensioners’ Rates Available “For The Best Prices” call JOE for a FREE QUOTE
Mobile 0419 511 606
80KG COCAINE IMPORT PLOT
If you need aluminium go to
sales.airportwest@ directaluminium.com.au
www.directaluminium.com.au
Commercial HVAC Specialist Electrical and Mechanical Services Highly trained HVAC mechanics and licensed electricians From design to installation and repairs, we're your full service partner for air conditioning and heating systems. Duct manufacturing.
Contact: Jake - 0430 171 359 Email: info@elecor.com.au
Estimated $32 mil. street value
PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS ON THE FRONT-PAGE FROM $39 PER FORTNIGHT Your business can have front-page prominence in a local edition of The Local Paper for just $39 per fortnight if you order a 23-issue pre-paid package totalling $897. Limited offer. First-in basis.
The Local Paper Phone 1800 231 311, 0450 399 932 editor@LocalPaper.com.au
Star Tree Services QUALIFIED ARBORISTS • Tree Removal • Tree Surgery & Pruning • Consultations & Reports • Elm Leaf Beetle Control • Mulch & Firewood Sales
5783 3170 Free Quotes. Full Insurance Cover www.treeser vices.com.au mail@treeservices.com.au
● Part of the cocaine seized in the Australian Federal Police operation. ■ Two brothers with alleged links to internaPolice seized multiple mobile phones, blocks tional organised crime have been charged over of the substituted illicit consignment, a high-powa complex drug importation plot involving 80kg ered rifle, two pistols, ammunition, various quanof cocaine. tities of drugs, drug paraphernalia, cash and The men appeared before the Melbourne jewellery. Magistrates Court on Wednesday (Apr. 2) after The Seabrook man, 38 was charged with: the Australian Federal Police arrested them ear- ■ One count of attempting possession of a lier in the day. commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported One of the men, 38, from Seabrook, was border-controlled drug, contrary to section remanded in custody to reappear in court on 307.5(1) by virtue of section 11.1 of the CrimiJuly 23, while his brother, 32, from Sunshine, nal Code (Cth); was released on bail to face court on the same ■ One count of possessing a traffickable quanday. tity of firearms, contrary to section 7C of the In early March, the AFP identified that a ‘rip Firearms Act 1996 (Vic); crew’ – allegedly linked to the brothers – was ■ One count of possessing a controlled drug, looking to target a shipping container being held contrary to section 308.1(1) of the Criminal Code at the Port of Melbourne. A ‘rip crew’ is a group (Cth); and of professionals hired by criminal syndicates to ■ One count of dealing in proceeds of crime retrieve illegally imported drugs from high-se- worth $50,000 or more, contrary to section curity areas. 400.5(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The AFP worked with the Australian Border He faces a maximum penalty of life imprisForce to identify and inspect the crew’s target onment if convicted. container. ABF officers allegedly found more The Sunshine man, 32, was charged with: than 80kg of cocaine and two GPS trackers hid- ■ One count of possessing a controlled drug, den inside the shipment of industrial machinery. contrary to section 308.1(1) of the Criminal Code The AFP removed the illicit drugs and substi- (Cth). tuted them with an inert substance before reHe faces a maximum penalty of two years’ turning the container to the shipping yard on imprisonment if convicted. March 9, to allow for covert surveillance. On The cocaine had an estimated street value March 10, two men, dressed in black clothes of about $32 million with the potential to equate and balaclavas, allegedly broke into the precinct to 40,000 individual street deals, had it reached with bolt cutters and retrieved the inert substance the community. before absconding in a car. AFP Detective Superintendent Simone On April 2, the AFP executed search war- Butcher said the result demonstrated the patrants in Seabrook, Sunshine, Dallas and West terns and behaviours of criminal syndicates in Melbourne. the drug trafficking trade.
Fieste Tullamarine Modern European Dining 19/217-219 Mickleham Rd, Tullamarine 9330 1833 Monday to Friday Lunch and Dinner special. Bookings for 10 people + 15% discount. Not including public holidays and weekends.
ADVANTAGE BIN HIRE DELIVERING 7 DAYS A WEEK 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 & 8 M3 BINS
0425 766 823