A cleaner has stumbled across a stash of more than $1m of drugs, cash, firearms and explosives linked to organised crime in a Melbourne rental property.
Victoria Police have appealed for public assistance after the discovery was called in by a cleaner at the Keilor East short-term rental on January 24th.
After police were called, a search dug up various incendiary devices on the property, triggering the Bomb Response Unit and the Australian Defence Force to attend the scene.
The devices were eventually rendered safe after controlled detonations took place.
Police now believe the seized stash to be in connection with organised crime.
“This was not a run of the mill seizure of drugs and cash – there were incendiary devices and a large quantity of firearms. This is organised crime,” Detective Inspector Jamie Walker from Major Drug Squad said.
Investigations found that the rental property had been booked for a couple of weeks in January, with police stating a man had been interviewed relating to the booking but was released pending further inquiries.
Now, Victoria Police have turned their attention to investigating a hired white Toyota Camry that appeared at the address many times when the property was being rented.
Police now believe a man CCTV captured filling up the Camry with fuel in Ardeer South in December last year could assist with their investigations.
“Police believe this man will be able to assist with their inquiries and are keen to hear from anyone who recognises him,” Police said in a statement.
The Camry was seized by police earlier this year in January, with police stating that the man captured on CCTV in December is not the man who hired the car originally as “he has not been co-operative with police.”
With no information from the Camry’s driver in January, police are urging members of the public to aid in finding the man CCTV captured filling up the rental car.
“I would urge anyone out there who recognises this man or who has any information on the items located at this accommodation to do the right thing and come forward,” ,” Detective Inspector Walker said.
“We will track down those responsible and hold them to account. It would be in your best interests to tell us what you know now.”
