Police have arrested a number of people across the South East as part of an investigation into large scale drug trafficking.
On Tuesday 12 September, four men and one woman were arrested and warrants were executed at properties in Cranbourne North and Narre Warren South.
As a result of these warrants, police seized about one kilogram of cocaine, a hand gun, ammunition, a ballistic vest, cash and a small quantity of cannabis, as well as a Mercedes Benz and a stolen BMW.
Police charged a 25-year-old Cranbourne North man with trafficking a large commercial quantity of cocaine, trafficking cocaine and dealing proceeds of crime.
Police charged a 22-year-old Narre Warren South man with trafficking a large commercial quantity of cocaine, trafficking cocaine, possessing cocaine, prohibiting a person possessing a firearm, theft of motor vehicle and dealing with proceeds of crime and bail offences.
Police remanded both men in custody to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 17 January 2024.
Police charged a 22-year-old Clyde North man with trafficking cocaine, possessing cocaine and possessing cannabis and bailed him to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday 10 November.
Police interviewed a 20-year-old Endeavour Hills man and a 20-year-old Altona Meadows woman and released them pending further inquiries.
On Wednesday 20 September, police executed search warrants at a number of properties in Lynbrook, Clayton, Hampton Park, Dandenong, Somerville and Tyabb.
The warrants executed resulted in the arrest of five additional men and the seizure of further drugs including methylamphetamines, cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy, MDMA and 1,4-butanediol, as well as a quantity of cash.
Police subsequently charged a 29-year-old Lynbrook man with trafficking cocaine, possessing and trafficking methylamphetamine and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime and charged a 31-year-old Hampton Park man with possessing 1,4-Buteanediol, possessing cannabis and possessing cocaine, with both men facing Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 21 September.
Police also charged a 25-year-old Clayton man with possessing cannabis and possessing prescription medication, receiving bail to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on 7 February 2024.
A 25-year-old Hampton Park man was bailed on an outstanding warrant to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 8 February, 2024.
Police interviewed a 25-year-old Hampton Park man and released him pending further enquiries.
The 12-month investigation by the Gang Crime Squad focused on alleged large scale drug trafficking, particularly cocaine, linked to former street gang members and associates.
Gang Crime Squad Acting Senior Sergeant Detective Craig Mitchell said the results were testament to a large-scale investigation over the past 12 months.
“This investigation also highlights the ongoing links to high level organised crime that many street gang members have, even after they have moved on from those specific groups,” he said.
“We will continue to focus on those people and ensure their criminality is targeted regardless of what it involves.
“To arrest 10 people and seize a significant quantity of drugs is satisfying, especially alongside the seizure of the firearm and ammunition.”
