Sport club fires probe uncovers alleged meth trafficking operation

Police say they have uncovered a substantial amount of methamphetamine while arresting a further two people over the alleged arson attacks on two sporting clubs in Melbourne’s south-east.

Monash crime investigation unit detectives searched two properties on Saturday in relation to the alleged arson attacks on the Capital Reserve in Glen Waverley and a clubroom in Mount Waverley earlier this year.

The damage inside the Capital Reserve pavilion in Glen Waverley in April.Credit: Daniel Pockett

Police said a search at a home in Clarinda uncovered a large commercial quantity of methamphetamine. A second property in Clayton South was also searched, where police allegedly found a firearm and a large quantity of cash.

They arrested a 43-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman at the Clarinda property without incident. Their arrests follow those of two men who were charged in relation to the fires earlier this year.

A Dandenong man was arrested in October and charged with burning the pavilion at Capital Reserve in Glen Waverley about 3am on April 16, and then targeting the clubhouse at nearby Mayfield Reserve about 5.15am on May 3.

The damaged clubhouse at Mayfield Reserve in Mount Waverley on May 3.Credit: Eddie Jim

He was charged with two counts of arson and two counts of theft of a motor vehicle and is on bail to appear in court again next month.

A 35-year-old Clyde North man was also charged with possessing a firearm and trafficking in methamphetamine. He has been remanded in custody and will appear in court again next month. Police said they expected to lay further charges in relation to the arson.

The fires caused more than $4 million in damage.

On Saturday, Detective Senior Sergeant Justin Wool said what had started out as an arson investigation had now uncovered “a significant amount of drugs allegedly being sold to the community”.

The burnt-out pavilion in Glen Waverley.Credit: Daniel Pockett

“Those trafficking drugs in our community should know police could be knocking on your door next,” he said. “Our investigation into the arson remains very much ongoing, and we urge anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward to police.”

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In May, the president of the Glen Waverley Soccer Club, Kosta Ganotis, said the fire at Capital Reserve had destroyed the club’s memorabilia and equipment, including $40,000 worth of new player uniforms.

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