A man has been accused of using unassuming rideshare drivers to transport drugs to clients on a popular Melbourne night strip.
Police discovered a hidden stockpile of drugs and weapons behind a fake bookshelf during a raid on a home on Arkle Street in Prahran on Friday.
It will be alleged in court that the 43-year-old man was circulating a drug menu to clients at nighclubs and bars on nearby Chapel Street, which listed a selection of substances and their weight and prices.
Orders were then allegedly taken using an encrypted messaging app and the drugs were either picked up from the alleged dealer’s home and taken directly to bars and nightclubs on the strip or delivered to buyers via rideshare drivers.
It is not suggested that rideshare drivers were aware of what they were transporting., police said.
Just after 5am on July 4 detectives raided the man’s home, where they discovered a remote-controlled bookshelf.
Behind the shelf, a selection of illict drugs and prohibited weapons were found, including almost $11,000 worth of cocaine, $6000 worth of MDMA, $10,000 worth of 1,4-Butanediol and methamphetamine with an estimated street value of more than $16,000.
Other drugs, steroids and presciption medications were also seized, as well as an imitation Glock handgun, a set of knuckle dusters, two daggers, a sling shot, an axe, an extendable baton, fireworks and electronic devices.
The Prahran man was arrested at the scene and charged with 30 offences, including drug trafficking and possession, committing an offence whilst on bail and possessing prohibited weapons.
He appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on July 5, where he was remanded in custody.
He is expected to reappear in court on July 15.
A 33-year-old woman from South Melbourne who was also arrested at the property was issued a caution for possessing cocaine.
