Police seize $100k worth of Pokemon, One Piece card collections allegedly linked to major drug trafficking operation
A cache of Pokemon and One Piece trading cards worth approximately $100,000 have been seized from a Melbourne home as part of a major drug trafficking investigation.
The investigation also allegedly uncovered $2.5 million worth of methylamphetamine hidden in a car on the Hume Highway.
Major Drug Squad detectives charged a 26-year-old man after stopping a vehicle in Kalkallo at around 1.20pm on Tuesday.
Police allege the driver was transporting approximately 43kg of methylamphetamine between NSW and Victoria when officers stopped the car.
It was later claimed that during a search of the vehicle, drugs with an estimated street value of $2.5 million were uncovered.
Police executed a search warrant at the man’s home in St Albans and allegedly seized around $50,000 in cash, several mobile phones and collectible cards from popular Pokemon and One Piece brands.
Cards can fetch tens of thousands of dollars depending on rarity and condition; Some limited edition cards are highly sought after by collectors.
Detective Inspector Jamie Walker said illegal drugs were “destroying lives and communities”.
“Drugs lead to addiction, overdoses and even death, and often bring guns, organized crime networks and violence into neighbourhoods,” Inspector Walker said.
“By disrupting major drug trafficking operations such as this, we prevent profits from these drugs being plowed back into the criminal activities of those involved.
“We have zero tolerance for drugs and will hold those who commit these crimes accountable.”
The 26-year-old is charged with trafficking and possessing a large commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, dealing and possessing a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, trafficking and possessing methylamphetamine and four counts of possession of suspected proceeds of crime.
He was taken into custody and appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
