A new mother, arrested while pregnant in connection with an alleged methamphetamine syndicate in Melbourne's outer-eastern suburbs, has appeared in court. Alannah Svrakov, 23, appeared via a remote link in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, having recently given birth.
Svrakov is charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamine, possessing multiple other drugs, and trafficking 1,4-butanediol, a solvent sometimes sold as GHB. Police allege she was found with $34,115 in cash, suspected to be the proceeds of crime. She is also accused of intentionally permitting the use of a premises for drug trafficking, with police discovering various drugs at a Chirnside Park storage unit, where they allege Svrakov ran the operation between August 2023 and May 2024.
Her boyfriend, Reece Thomas, 22, faces more than 70 charges, including multiple counts of trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamine. Police allege he was involved in drug transactions in Seville, Lilydale, Croydon, and Chirnside Park between March and April 2024. Thomas is also charged with dealing with approximately $206,000 suspected to be proceeds of crime and was allegedly found with $22,000 worth of gold bullion and assorted jewelry at a Seville property.
Further charges against Thomas include trafficking 1,4-butanediol and possession of various weapons, such as a dagger, machete, taser, knuckledusters, and imitation firearms. He was also allegedly in possession of unregistered handguns, longarms, and ammunition. Police reportedly kept Thomas under covert surveillance as he allegedly traveled between suspected drug locations while unlicensed.
A third individual, Jessica Thomas, 30, also appeared in court. She is charged with multiple offenses, including trafficking methamphetamine and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime. Police allege she was found at a Seville property with methamphetamine, cannabis, and $143,775 in cash.
The arrests are the culmination of a 10-month covert investigation by Croydon Divisional Response Unit detectives targeting an alleged syndicate operating in the outer-eastern suburbs and the Yarra Ranges.
During the operation, police executed eight search warrants at properties and storage units across suburbs including Bayswater North, Boronia, Croydon, and Mooroolbark. They reportedly seized 800g of methamphetamine, $22,000 in gold bullion, four firearms, over $200,000 in cash, designer clothing, and luxury vehicles. A 44-year-old man arrested at the Seville property was allegedly found with a handgun and two sawn-off firearms.
Victoria Police Sergeant Russell Church previously stated that the consequences of drug trafficking carry a maximum prison sentence of up to 25 years. The prosecution is expected to require approximately three months to conduct drug testing and DNA and fingerprint analysis.
Svrakov and Jessica Thomas had their bail extended and are scheduled to return to court in November. Reece Thomas remains in custody pending his next appearance.