Detectives from the Major Drug Squad have charged nine people and seized drugs, firearms, swords, luxury handbags and over $750,000 in cash following an investigation into drug trafficking by an Asian organised crime syndicate.
The investigation, which commenced last September, will allege the syndicate had been trafficking large commercial quantities of methyl-amphetamine and heroin across Mel-bourne.
Search warrants were executed at properties in Southbank, Deer Park, St Albans and Braybrook.
A 32-year-old Southbank man was charged with traffick commercial quantity of methylamphet-amine.
He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on July 17.
A 35-year-old man from Deer Park was charged with possess drugs of dependence, and other weapons and explosives offences.
He was bailed to appear at the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on August 21.
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.
Searches were conducted on June 22 at residential properties in Sunshine and Sunshine North.
A clandestine laboratory was 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.
A 46-year-old Sunshine North man was charged with traffick commercial quantity methylamphetamine.
He was remanded to appear at Mel-bourne Magistrates’ Court on September 15.
Over a five-day period from Monday-Friday, 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 was charged with traffick commercial quantity of heroin. He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on October 3.
• A 32-year-old man from Braybrook was charged with traffick cocaine. He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on September 29.
• A 41-year-old man from Braybrook was charged with traffick methylamphetamine. He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 29 September.
• A 28-year-old Melbourne woman was charged with possess various drugs of dependence.
• A 25-year-old Forest Hill man was charged with traffick MDMA.