St Kilda arrests pile up as new drug of choice emerges

New crime data reveals Victoria Police arrested almost 100 people for drug offending in St Kilda last year, as detectives continue to target traffickers peddling illicit substances.

In 2024, St Kilda police arrested 94 people allegedly involved in drug crime a total of 96 times – equivalent to around two people each week.

These arrests often included drug manufacturers, dealers, and traffickers, with 40 charged with serious offences attracting significant jail time.

Local police are running a range of operations across St Kilda, including Acland, Carlisle and Fitzroy streets.

These operations include a mix of plain clothed patrols and drug detection dogs, while officers based within St Kilda Police Station have access to a live CCTV feed watching key drug dealing hotspots.

This level of strong enforcement has coincided with an emerging drug of choice on St Kilda streets, with 1,4-Butanediol the most common substance seized by local police over the past six months.

Between September 2024 and March 2025, detectives from the Prahran Divisional Response Unit seized $130,000 worth of drugs across St Kilda.

1,4-Butanediol accounted for around $100,000 of all drugs seized, with 33L taken out of the hands of alleged offenders.

This substance can be highly unpredictable as it works more slowly than GHB, with users at greater risk of overdosing because they are more likely to take a second or third dose.

Methylamphetamine and MDMA are the next most common drugs seized across St Kilda, followed by cocaine and ketamine.

Among those charged with serious drug related offences over this time are:

• Police executed a search warrant at an apartment on Barkly Street, St Kilda, just before 7am on Wednesday 23 April. There, police uncovered traffickable quantities of 1,4-Butanediol, methylamphetamine and cannabis, as well as quantities of MDMA and prescription medication. The substances have a combined estimated potential street value of more than $16,000. Police also seized electronic devices and cash suspected of being proceeds of crime. Two men aged 26 and 29 were arrested at the scene. The younger man from St Kilda was charged with trafficking 1,4-Butanediol, methylamphetamine and cannabis, as well as possessing several drugs of dependence, and possessing Schedule 4 poisons, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime. He was bailed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 30 June. The older man from Abbotsford was charged with possessing cannabis, and was bailed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 4 June.
• An allegedly stolen white Nissan ute bearing cloned plated crashed into a power pole at the intersection of Marine Parade and Blessington Street, St Kilda, on 2 March. The driver, a 34-year-old man from Bentleigh East, was arrested following a short chase on foot, while the passenger could not be located. A search of the vehicle uncovered a commercial quantity of drugs of dependence, including methylamphetamine, cocaine, ketamine, 1,4-Butanediol, MDMA and prescription medication. They also located a knife, a baseball bat, two sets of cloned plates, and several mobile phones in the ute. The driver was charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, trafficking 1,4-Butanediol and methylamphetamine and possession of 1,4-Butanediol and methamphetamine and remanded to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 26 May. Investigations continue to locate the passenger.
• Five men aged between 19 and 32 were arrested at a post office on Chapel Street, St Kilda on 14 January 2025. During a search of parcels at the post office the men were allegedly attempting to collect, police uncovered 15L of 1,4-Butanediol worth around $45,000, as well as quantities of MDMA, methylamphetamine, cocaine and prescription medication. Police also seized a machete and cash. Two men aged 26 and 32 were charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of 1,4-Butanediol and attempting to traffick the substance, as well as possessing a Schedule 4 poison, controlled weapon and drugs of dependence. Both were remanded to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 9 April, where the 32-year-old was bailed to reappear on 2 June 2025 with strict conditions, while the 26-year-old was further remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 14 May 2025. Two other men were charged with possessing a controlled weapon and released pending summons, while a 26-year-old – who was charged with possessing a controlled weapon and cocaine – was bailed to appear in the same court on April 23.
• Three men aged 37, 41 and 46 were arrested during a search warrant a home on Lynott Street, St Kilda, on 16 September 2024, where police seized quantities of methylamphetamine, cocaine, 1,4-Butanediol, and ecstasy. Police also seized prescription medication, vials of steroids, testosterone, and fake identification cards. It will be alleged the 46-year-old man was trafficking drugs in the St Kilda area. He was charged with trafficking and possessing both methylamphetamine and 1,4-Butanediol, possess cocaine, ecstasy, and prescription medication without a prescription, handle stolen goods, and making and using a false document. He was convicted and placed on a 24-month community corrections order. The two other men were charged with possessing drugs of dependence; the 41-year-old appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 20 March, where he was convicted and fined $400, while the younger man failed to appear at in court in December. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
• Investigators arrested a man and woman at a post office depot on Chapel Street, St Kilda and a home in Cremorne Crescent, Dingley Village on 19 September 2024. They seized more than 18L of 1,4-Butanediol with an estimated street value of $54,000, as well as quantities of methylamphetamine, MDMA, ketamine, LSD and prescription medication, cash and electronic devices. Among the alleged offences, the 40-year-old woman was charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of 1,4-Butanediol, trafficking methylamphetamine, ketamine, and ecstasy, and negligently dealing with proceeds of crime. She appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 16 December and again on 3 April, where she was bailed to reappear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on 28 May. The 28-year-old man was charged with possessing, trafficking and attempting to traffick 1,4-Butanediol. He will reappear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 28 May.

Quotes attributable to Prahran Divisional Response Unit Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Ishac

“St Kilda remains a great place to live and work, but like any community, there are groups of people involved in drugs.

“Our focus is squarely on those trafficking to vulnerable members of the community with a drug addiction.

“By targeting drug traffickers, we are also reducing the chances of drug-fuelled crimes occurring, such as assaults, robberies, and drug driving.

“While the money may seem appealing, a lifestyle funded by drugs is fraught with danger and more often than not, results in a lengthy stint in a prison cell.

“Whether it’s today, tomorrow, or next week, we are watching, and we will be knocking on your door.”

Media Unit

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