An alleged drug trafficker has been remanded in custody following a police pursuit that ended in a crash in Hoppers Crossing last Friday afternoon.
Akin Mat, 29, of Strathmore, appeared in an out-of-sessions hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Saturday charged with 15 offences, including possessing and trafficking methamphetamine and GHB.
The drama unfolded at the corner of Princes Highway and Old Geelong Road, near Werribee Mercy Hospital, just after 12.30pm, when police attempted to intercept a car.
A short pursuit followed, during which the driver allegedly refused to stop. His car then collided with two other vehicles.
The driver fled but was caught by police in a nearby carpark.
Police blocked off the area after locating a suspicious package in the driver’s vehicle.
This was finally declared “non-explosive” and roads reopened just before 8pm, easing an almost eight-hour traffic snarl. Charges laid against Mat also include driving in a dangerous manner
while being pursued by police, driving at a dangerous speed, reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, running a red light, failing to give assistance after a crash and failing to provide a name and address after a crash.
He also faces charges of possessing property suspected of being proceeds of crime and committing indictable offences while already on bail.
Mat will reappear in court on April 23.
