Three Colombian-born men accused of knowingly receiving stolen watches, rings and precious stones taken in a series of jewellery store robberies across Melbourne have been forced to surrender their passports, as authorities hold $20 million in assets.
Brothers Alejandro Mendieta Blanco, 31, and Julio Mendieta Blanco, 34, and 36-year-old Chey Tenenboim, were charged with handling stolen goods and knowingly possessing stolen goods.
Police raided a number of properties last Thursday including a city jewellery store and private residences in Southbank, Caulfield and the city, seizing gold and silver, precious gems and cash.
They also took away a luxury Lamborghini vehicle from a city location.
The Melbourne Magistrates' Court today heard assets totalling $20 million were also being held.
Trio granted bail, surrendered passports
The police case will rely on evidence gathered through 19,000 hours of telephone intercepts and 1,200 hours of other recordings made from late August until last week.
More than 30 jewellery stores have been targeted by gangs of thieves in the last 12 months.
Magistrate Timothy Bourke ordered the men to reappear in court in January.
They have had to surrender their passports as part of their bail conditions.
The charge sheets revealed each man faced three separate charges.
They are accused of dishonestly receiving goods — bracelets, watches, rings, precious stones and other items — and "believing the goods…to be stolen goods".
The second and third charges relate to dealing with the proceeds of crime.
