Cop said to have bikie links accused of selling seized drugs
- Herald Sun
- November 07, 2013
David Branov leaves Melbourne Magistrates' Court. Source: News Limited
Police allege David Branov stole more than $5000 worth of the drug ice from the Fitzroy Police Station, then sold it around that area, and in Epping and Seddon, between June last year and April this year.
Prosecutors filed nine new charges against the senior constable at Melbourne Magistrates' Court yesterday, bringing the total to 22.
Sen-Constable Branov, who police have alleged in court is a "significant drug dealer", has been charged with possessing counterfeit money and Crown Casino gambling chips, dealing with the proceeds of crimes, and trafficking a drug of dependence.
In June, the Herald Sun reported police allegations that Sen-Constable Branov, who is accused of being at the centre of Victoria Police's leaks scandal, was running a large-scale drug operation from his home.
Thousands of sensitive police documents are alleged to have been found there.
Police say drugs, scales, drug-making equipment, ID cards and a sawn-off shotgun were also seized from Sen-Constable Branov's Epping home in a raid in April.
David Branov leaves Melbourne Magistrates' Court.
Police allege he was behind an amphetamine operation that netted more than $300,000.
It is also alleged that he conspired with Dean Murphy, 38, of Seddon, and Jamie McNally, 34, of Tarneit, to prevent a brief of evidence being used in court against Mr McNally.
He is alleged to have altered an official police record to stop an investigation into the suspected drug trafficking activities of Mr Murphy, and fraudulently executed arrest warrants to prevent the briefs of evidence against Mr McNally being heard at court.
The officer of seven years is facing two counts of perverting the course of justice.
He has also been charged with the possession of drug trafficking paraphernalia, methamphetamine, an unregistered handgun, and a silencer, and with insecurely storing weapons.
Sen-Constable Branov was arrested in April after an anti-corruption taskforce investigated possible links between police and outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Mr Murphy is facing 33 charges, including drug trafficking, car theft, and a number of weapons possession charges.
Mr McNally has been charged with perverting the course of justice and two minor drug and weapons offences.
The three men will face a committal hearing in May next year.
Shannon.deery@news.com.au