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<\/p>\nFive men have been arrested after detectives investigating fresh allegations of drug trafficking and corruption in the construction industry raided properties in Victoria this morning.<\/p>\n
Victoria Police said detectives with Taskforce Hawk executed warrants at six addresses as part of an investigation into alleged secret commissions.<\/p>\n
One of the premises was the Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, headquarters of the CFMEU.<\/p>\n
Police said they seized four CFMEU-registered vehicles, 10 mobile phones, a schedule 4 poison, laptops, iPads and USB devices as well as a range of documents.<\/p>\n
They said none of the arrests occurred at the union’s office.<\/p>\n
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Detectives leave the CFMEU office with bagged evidence after the raid. (ABC News)<\/p>\n
The other properties raided were in eastern suburb Chirnside Park, the towns of Powelltown and Westbury, east of Melbourne, Gisborne, north-west of the city, and Somerville on the Mornington Peninsula.<\/p>\n
Police said detectives were assisted by the Cybercrime Squad and the VIPER organised crime squad.<\/p>\n
A 36-year-old Chirnside Park man was charged with drug possession and released on bail to appear in court in November.<\/p>\n
A 46-year-old from Westbury was released on bail to appear in court in January on charges of failing to properly store a .22 rifle and ammunition.<\/p>\n
A 27-year-old from Gisborne, a 56-year-old from Powelltown and a 37-year-old from Somerville were released pending further enquiries.<\/p>\n
Speaking after the arrests, Detective Acting Superintendent Jamie Walker said today’s searches related to fresh allegations relating to conduct in the construction industry.<\/p>\n
“Criminal conduct involving corruption, intimidation and violence within the construction industry is unacceptable,” Acting Superintendent Walker said.<\/p>\n
“We will continue to target serious and organised crime entities and dismantle corrupt and criminal business activities in the construction industry.<\/p>\n
“If you have any information, no matter how small you think it may be, please come forward and we will support and protect you.”<\/p>\n
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The CFMEU’s Elizabeth Street office has been raided by Taskforce Hawk investigators. (ABC News)<\/p>\n
CFMEU administrator Michael Crosby said the union was cooperating with police.<\/p>\n
He said any employees found to have engaged in anything illegal would lose their jobs.<\/p>\n
“Criminals and bad actors in construction remain a major threat to the workers, which is why we need greater regulation and scrutiny across the sector,” Mr Crosby said.<\/p>\n
“This administration has undertaken unprecedented reform and anyone associated with criminal elements will have absolutely no place in this union’s future.”<\/p>\n
He said the CFMEU would conduct an internal investigation after today’s search warrants.<\/p>\n
“There is a presumption of innocence and the branch will continue to offer support whilst the investigation is ongoing,” Mr Crosby said.<\/p>\n
“The CFMEU administrator has requested Taskforce Hawk provide any information it can to the union to assist in its internal investigations.<\/p>\n
“The administration is two years into a five-year process and has overseen the most significant reform in the union’s history, with the removal of 180 staff, including former leadership.”<\/p>\n
Taskforce Hawk was set up in June 2024 to investigate criminal behaviour in the construction sector, including the infiltration by outlaw motorcycle gangs of major Victorian government infrastructure projects.<\/p>\n
Victoria Police has described a secret commission as “corruptly giving, receiving or soliciting an undisclosed financial benefit, reward, payment or kickback”.<\/p>\n