Factory tenants evicted

Police at the premises in September last year.

By ANEEKA SIMONIS

THE locks have been changed at a factory in Pakenham, barring the operators, some who are facing drugs charges, from re-entering.
A locksmith and representative from Cameron Real Estate, which manages the property, arrived at the Bormar Drive, Pakenham factory in an unmarked car about 8.30am on Wednesday 21 July to change the locks.
It is thought one of the operators was inside the factory when they arrived.
He was issued with the eviction notice in relation to several lease breaches which were thought to relate to parking, rental payment and tenants living inside the property.
The lock-out process was complete by 9.30am and the Cameron Real Estate representative was seen photographing the premises and cars parked on the property.
The operators were given several days to remove their property from the premises.
The Gazette contacted Camerons Real Estate to understand the exact date the operators needed to be out, but did not receive a response.
It is though their hard eviction date is Friday 29 July.
The factory has been dubbed the ‘ice house’ by surrounding traders.
Police have also located stolen goods at the premises during two raids, the most recent of which was over two days in July which resulted in two men being charged with drug offences.
A 25-year-old Endeavour Hills man arrested at the site on Thursday 7 July was charged with the theft of a motor vehicle and possessing drugs of dependence and a 24-year-old Pakenham man was also charged with possessing drugs of dependence.
Both were bailed, one to appear before the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 18 August and the other at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 7 November.
Stolen cars, a motorbike, jetski and car parts have been seized from the premises in recent months.
In September police were called to the site to investigate a violent attack which left a man in hospital with facial injuries after he was bound and beaten inside the factory.