Sport club fires probe uncovers alleged meth trafficking operation
Police say they have uncovered a significant quantity of methamphetamine as they arrested two more men in connection with arson attacks on two sports clubs in Melbourne’s south-east.
Monash crime investigation unit detectives searched two properties on Saturday in connection with alleged arson attacks on the Capital Reserve in Glen Waverley and a clubroom in Mount Waverley earlier this year.
Police say a search of a home in Clarinda uncovered a large quantity of commercial methamphetamine. A second property in Clayton South was also searched, where police allegedly found a firearm and a large sum of cash.
They arrested a 43-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman without incident at the Clarinda property. The arrests follow two men charged in connection with the fires earlier this year.
A Dandenong man was arrested in October and charged with burning down the pavilion at Capital Reserve in Glen Waverley at around 3am on April 16 and then targeting the clubhouse at nearby Mayfield Reserve at around 5.15am on May 3.
The man, accused of two counts of arson and two counts of motor vehicle theft, was released on bail to appear in court again next month.
A 35-year-old Clyde North man was also charged with possession of a firearm and trafficking in methamphetamine. He was arrested and will appear in court again next month. Police said they expect more charges to be filed in connection with the arson.
The fires caused more than $4 million in damage.
On Saturday, Detective Senior Sergeant Justin Wool said what started as an arson investigation had now uncovered a “significant quantity of drugs allegedly being sold to the public”.
“Those who traffic drugs in our society should know that from now on the police may knock on your door,” he said. “Our investigation into the arson is very much ongoing and we would urge anyone with information, no matter how small, to contact the police.”
In May, Glen Waverley Football Club chairman Kosta Ganotis said a fire at Capital Reserve destroyed the club’s memorabilia and equipment, including new player jerseys worth $40,000.
Our Breaking News Alert will I will let you know Important breaking news when it happens. Get it here.
