How the multi-million dollar crime empire of feared Melbourne kingpin George ... trends now
More than a dozen alleged members of feared prison crime boss George Marrogi's gang have been busted after his girlfriend used a 'hot' phone during jailhouse calls to him inside.
On Friday, 15 alleged gangsters, including a woman, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates' Court after being arrested in raids across Melbourne
Another seven will appear in court next week, including Marrogi himself, while two others have already been dealt with.
George Marrogi, 33, was the mastermind of a $50 million drug deal from behind bars
Charity worker Antonietta Mannella has pleaded guilty to helping Marrogi run his business from jail
Reporters chase alleged Marrogi clan member Jesse Clarke down the road after he appeared in court
The alleged crew are accused of helping Marrogi launder the dirty money for his multi-million dollar crime empire he operates from behind bars.
The alleged launderers went before the magistrate in single file, with some declaring their innocence as they faced a waiting media pack outside.
A 52-year old Roxburgh Park man is the suspected head of Marrogi’s money laundering arm, the Herald Sun reported.
He has been charged with a a swag of offences, including dealing with money or property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of indictable crime greater than $10million
The police operation, codenamed 'Steelers', involved wide-ranging investigations into Marrogi’s activities.
Detectives allege those involved with the crime gang funnelled drug money through property, companies and luxury vehicles.
It was reported police seized a $400,000 stolen Porsche, $20million in proceeds of crime, more than $2.2million in cash and almost 6kg of cocaine.
A woman (left) was among those alleged to have helped Marrogi run his criminal empire
An alleged Marrogi cohort tells reporters the 'truth' will come out
Just days ago it was revealed Marrogi was still able to mastermind a $50 million drug trafficking operation while caged in one of Australia's toughest jails.
He was aided in his drug business by 'cleanskin' girlfriend Antonietta Mannella, who pretended to be his lawyer to help him move a massive drug shipment.
It was the use of her phone, which was bugged with secret police listening devices, that