Embankment Grove, Chelsea: Melbourne man faces prison after cocaine, suitcase of cash seized in home raid

Three people have been arrested after detectives seized half a kilogram of cocaine and nearly $800,000 in cash during an early morning raid in Melbourne’s southeast.

Police executed search warrants at a home on Embankment Grove, Chelsea, and a factory in Moorabbin from 6am on Monday as part of an investigation into the alleged trafficking of cocaine and ketamine.

At the Chelsea property, officers allegedly discovered 500 grams of cocaine with a potential street value of $150,000, along with a suitcase containing about $785,000 in cash.

Two men, aged 22 and 23, and a 25-year-old woman were arrested at the scene.

The 22-year-old man was charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of cocaine, an offence carrying a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. He also faces charges of possessing MDMA, ketamine and proceeds of crime.

He was remanded in custody and later granted bail by the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, with the matter to return on November 24.

The 23-year-old man was charged with possessing cocaine and is due to appear before the Frankston Magistrates’ Court on September 27. The woman, from Ferntree Gully, was released pending further inquiries.

Police later seized another $5,000 believed to be proceeds of crime during follow-up searches.

Acting Detective Sergeant Stu Burnham from the Caulfield Divisional Response Unit warned traffickers they risked serious jail time: “Making the decision to traffic a commercial quantity of drugs can land you in prison for as long as a quarter of a century. It’s just not worth the risk of getting caught.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.