A construction union delegate has been charged over his alleged role in a drug trafficking operation that police say targeted work sites across Melbourne. Victoria Police allege the 35-year-old was part of a trio distributing drugs to workers on major building projects, in a case that lands squarely in the ongoing scrutiny of governance on the state’s construction sector.
The man, who holds a delegate position with the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU), was charged following what police describe as a lengthy investigation into drug distribution networks operating in and around Melbourne building sites. He is one of three men facing charges as part of the same alleged operation.
What police allege happened #
Victoria Police said in a statement that detectives had been investigating reports of drug dealing at multiple construction sites in Melbourne’s inner and outer suburbs. Police allege the trio used their access to sites — including, in the delegate’s case, his standing as a union representative — to distribute drugs to workers over an extended period.
According to police, the 35-year-old man is alleged to have coordinated the supply of drugs to at least two other men, who would then allegedly sell them on-site. Victoria Police alleges the arrangement generated significant profits over several months, though the exact figures and timeframe are matters that will be tested before a court.
All three men have been charged with drug trafficking offences. Court documents allege the charges relate to trafficking a commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, though VCN understands the specific substances involved have not yet been detailed in material available to the public.
Who has been charged #
Police have not publicly released the names of the two other men charged alongside the delegate, and VCN is not naming any of the accused at this stage given the matter is before the courts and further charges or appearances may follow. The 35-year-old delegate is yet to enter a plea. The matter has been adjourned, and he is expected to appear in court again at a later date.
All three men are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. None of the allegations outlined by police have yet been tested in court, and no findings of guilt have been made against any of the accused.
Why this matters for the Big Build #
Victoria’s construction boom — often referred to as the Big Build, encompassing major transport and infrastructure projects across Melbourne — has faced years of scrutiny over site conduct, safety and the influence of union officials on major projects. The CFMEU itself has been under sustained regulatory and political pressure, including the appointment of an administrator to its construction division following allegations aired in a 2024 Nine Entertainment/ABC investigation into alleged organised crime links on Victorian building sites.
This latest case does not allege any connection to organised crime figures, and police have been careful to frame the charges as relating specifically to the alleged conduct of the three men named in the investigation. But the fact that a union delegate has been charged over alleged drug dealing at a work site will inevitably feed into the broader public conversation about oversight, site access and workplace culture on major Victorian construction projects.
Our courts desk has previously reported on the federal administration of the CFMEU’s Victorian branch and the raft of governance reforms introduced in response to allegations of standover tactics, unauthorised payments and infiltration by figures with alleged bikie and organised crime links. Readers can find our earlier coverage of that administration process in our Big Build Watch archive.
How the investigation unfolded #
VCN understands the investigation began after Victoria Police received information about drug activity at specific construction sites, prompting a targeted operation involving multiple police units. Sources close to the investigation have said surveillance and covert methods were used over a period of months before charges were laid, though police have not confirmed operational details publicly.
Victoria Police said in a statement that the investigation into drug trafficking at Melbourne construction sites remains ongoing, and detectives have not ruled out further charges. Anyone with information about drug activity at building sites has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
What happens next #
The delegate’s matter, along with those of the two other accused men, will return to court at a later date. Because no pleas have been entered, none of the allegations should be treated as established fact, and it remains open to each man to contest the charges in full.
A CFMEU spokesperson has not yet issued a public statement on the charges at the time of writing. VCN has sought comment from the union regarding the delegate’s status and whether any internal disciplinary action has been taken pending the outcome of the court proceedings. Any response received will be reflected in our ongoing coverage.
It is understood the sites allegedly involved span several major project zones across metropolitan Melbourne, though police have not confirmed whether any of the affected projects fall under the state government’s Big Build banner of level crossing removals, road upgrades or rail projects. VCN will continue to seek clarification on this point given the public interest in transparency around major taxpayer-funded infrastructure works.
The broader picture #
Drug use and supply on construction sites is not a new concern for Victorian regulators or unions. WorkSafe Victoria and industry bodies have repeatedly flagged workplace drug and alcohol use as a safety issue on high-risk sites, separate to any criminal allegations. This case, however, differs in that it centres on an alleged trafficking network rather than personal use, and involves a person in a position of some organisational trust within the union structure.
Legal experts not connected to this case have previously noted, in commentary on similar matters, that a person’s occupation or union role does not itself form part of the elements of a drug trafficking charge — but it can become a focus of public and political attention regardless of the outcome in court. That dynamic is likely to shape how this case is discussed in coming weeks, even as the actual charges are resolved through the ordinary judicial process.
The matter is currently before the courts. All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Anyone with information relevant to alleged drug trafficking at Victorian construction sites is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Anyone struggling with drug use or its effects on themselves or someone they know can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 for confidential support.
