Police have charged nine people and seized drugs, firearms, swords, luxury handbags and over $750,000 in cash following an investigation into alleged drug trafficking involving locations across Melbourne and Maribyrnong.
The investigation commenced in September 2022 and police allege the syndicate had been trafficking large commercial quantities of methylamphetamine and heroin across Melbourne.
On February 24, search warrants were executed at properties in Braybrook, Deer Park, St Albans and Southbank.
A 35-year-old man from Deer Park was charged with possessing drugs of dependence, and other weapons and explosives offences.
A 32-year-old Southbank man was charged with trafficking commercial quantity of methylamphetamine.
Police also seized a commercial quantity of what appears to be methylamphetamine, articles used in the preparation of drugs of dependence for sale and approximately $400,000 in cash, believed to be the proceeds of crime.
On June 22, searches were conducted at residential properties in Sunshine and Sunshine North.
A clandestine laboratory was allegedly located at the Sunshine North address.
A commercial quantity of what is believed to be methylamphetamine, precursor chemicals, approximately $100,000 cash and a 2020 Mercedes Benz GLC63 were also seized, police said.
A 46-year-old Sunshine North man was charged with trafficking commercial quantity of methylamphetamine.
From July 10-14, search warrants were executed at properties in Albion, Braybrook and Kalkallo.
Five people were arrested and charged including a 35-year-old Albion man, a 32-year-old man from Braybrook charged with trafficking cocaine and a 41-year-old man from Braybrook.
Police subsequently seized a loaded handgun, ammunition, an imitation handgun, quantities of what appear to be heroin and methylamphetamine, six Samurai swords, luxury bags and cigarette lighters, as well as approximately $50,000 cash from the St Albans address.
Quantities of what appear to be methylamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, ketamine and MDMA, approximately $50,000 cash, an imitation firearm as well as cannabis plants being cultivated were seized from a Braybrook address, police said.
At a storage facility in Braybrook, investigators seized quantities of what appear to be methylamphetamine, ketamine and MDMA.
What is believed to be heroin in both rock form and raw production form, ammunition and approximately $70,000 cash were seized from a Braybrook address.
On July 17, warrants were executed at two Southbank properties, where a 34-year-old Southbank man, alleged to be the leader of the syndicate, was arrested.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
