Detectives from the Clandestine Laboratory Squad seized drugs, and cash following the execution of a series of warrants across Victoria and Tasmania this week.

Warrants were executed on Tuesday last week (June 30) at residential, commercial and rural properties in Balwyn, Mont Albert, Point Cook, Truganina, Kerang, Bannerton and Robinvale as part of a five-month investigation into an alleged Malaysian drug manufacturing syndicate.

Police from the Crime Command Organised Crime Division were involved in the warrants, along with local police from a number of areas across metropolitan Melbourne, Mildura, Swan Hill and Seymour.

Assistance was also provided from Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police and Agriculture Victoria during the investigation.
Warrants were also executed in Hobart by Tasmania Police.

Six men were arrested and charged in Victoria, including:
• A 36-year-old Balwyn man charged with traffick a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence;
• A 32-year-old Balwyn man charged with traffick a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence;
• A 32-year-old Bannerton man charged with traffick a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence;
• A 41-year-old Kerang man charged with traffick a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence;
• A 35-year-old Point Cook man charged charged with traffick a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence; and
• 28-year-old Bannerton man charged with possess material/equipment for manufacturing a drug of dependence.

All men have been remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on November 4, with the exception of the 28-year-old Bannerton man who has been bailed to appear at Mildura Magistrates’ Court on September 30.

Two women were also arrested in Tasmania, including a 35-year-old Kingston Beach woman who has been charged with traffick a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence and a 29-year-old Lindisfarne woman who has been charged with recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime.

The Kingston Beach woman was remanded to appear at Hobart Magistrates’ Court on July 2 while the Lindisfarne woman has been bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on November 24.

In total, 19 people have now been arrested during the course of the investigation.

Police seized three tonnes of chemicals believed be pre-cursor chemicals for the manufacture of drugs. Seven luxury cars were also seized.

During the investigation, police had previously seized 57kg of methylamphetamine as well as a significant quantity of cash.

Three large-scale clandestine laboratories were also dismantled.

Homicide Squad detectives are also looking at possible links to the drug syndicate as part of the ongoing investigation into the death of Shu Jian Lim, whose body was located at Cobbledicks Ford Reserve