MOONEE PONDS: OWNER OF ANTI-AGEING CLINIC CHARGED AFTER POLICE ALLEGEDLY FOUND STEROIDS AND HUMAN GROWTH HORMONES - AS 17 LUXURY CARS ARE SEIZED FROM A NEARBY FACTORY
- 17 luxury cars were seized during raids
- Owner of anti-aging clinic has been charged
- READ MORE: Woman charged with stealing from son's injury compensation
The owner of a well known anti-aging clinic has been charged following an investigation into an alleged steroid trafficking scheme as police seize $950,000 in cash and 17 luxury cars worth millions of dollars at a nearby factory.
The Melbourne Sports Medicine and Anti-Aging Clinic at Moonee Ponds, in Melbourne's northwest, was raided by officers on Thursday.
Police allegedly discovered a large amount of illegal prescription medication including steroids and human growth hormones inside the clinic.
The bust followed a five-month investigation with detectives arresting the alleged business owner, 54-year-old Robin James Taylor, at a factory at Somerton in Melbourne's north a short time later.
Police searched the factory and seized about $950,000 in cash from a safe and a gold Louis Vuitton table and chair with an estimated value of $250,000.
Officers were seen towing 17 luxury cars from the factory, including two Lamborghinis, a Porsche, a Corvette and a Mercedes-AMG.
They also seized six Holden Toranas, including a VK SS Peter Brock valued at $1million.
Officers alleged the cars, which had a combined value of about $4million, were the proceeds of Taylor's business dealings.
Detective Senior Sergeant Raj Tillekeratne said there were up to 50 luxury cars stationed at the Somerton factory, which was surrounded by an electric fence.
The senior sergeant said most of the illegal medication allegedly found in the clinic were associated with anti-ageing and bodybuilding.
'The business model that we believe these organised crime figures have used is that they're selling prescription medication without having the proper licenses in order to gain wealth,' he told the Herald Sun.
A house at Yarrambat, in Melbourne's northeast, was also searched by police.
Police charged Taylor with several offences including trafficking a commercial quantity of prescription drugs, trafficking a commercial quantity of steroidal agents and trafficking testosterone.
He fronted Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday where he was denied bail after his barrister failed to prove he had exceptional circumstances.
Prosecutors alleged Taylor was selling drugs, including steroids, without medical qualifications at the premises, and using a blank prescription book already signed by a NSW-based doctor to give customers drugs.
Taylor is next due before court on June 21.
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