Police arrest 15 alleged offenders involved in trafficking more than $100k of meth

Police have arrested 15 people after major raids across homes in Shepparton and Melbourne uncovered more than $100k in meth and other drugs. 

Police have arrested 15 people and seized a stash of drugs, cash and firearms in raids across country Victoria and Melbourne.

During a week-long operation between October 9 and 13, police executed 17 search warrants, confiscating 842g of meth valued at more than $100,000, 40g of cocaine, 50ml of GHB, MDMA, two imitation firearms, ammunition, an ASP baton, and more than $50,000 cash

“Detectives will allege the group was trafficking methylamphetamine throughout the Shepparton community and into Melbourne,” Shepparton detective Senior Sergeant Paul Shortis said.

Police executing a search warrant lead an arrested man from a property. Picture: VicPol

Shepparton detective Senior Sergeant Lance Wiltshire said it had been a long-running investigation into what police allege was a fairly sophisticated drug network operating across the state.

“We’re aware of the harm drug trafficking causes in the community — and we are very keen to see that stop, and we appreciate the community assistance,” Sgt Wiltshire said.

Shepparton detective Senior Sergeant Lance Wiltshire speaks to media outside the Shepparton police station. Picture: Oscar Jaeger

“Trafficking drugs leads to fast, easy money.

“The result of drug trafficking (if convicted) often means decades of your life in prison — it can be up to 15 years.”

It’s is understood the 15 people were part of the same group.

“Some were associated with each other, I couldn’t say each of the 15 knew everyone else,” he said.

Sgt Wiltshire said the investigation began at the start of the year, resulting in

nine search warrants were executed in the Shepparton area, one in Cobram and a number of warrants in Melbourne.

One of the 15 arrested people is taken into custody by police. Picture: VicPol

“(Police will allege) Some of the drug traffickers were operating out of Melbourne, trafficking drugs from Melbourne and bringing them up to Shepparton and Cobram areas,” Sgt Wiltshire said.

“This particular group we’ve targeted, we’re not alleging there’s been a particular violence caused by these groups.

“We just want to make it very clear — we take a zero tolerance approach for drug trafficking.”

Sgt Wiltshire said drug trafficking wasn’t just limited to Shepparton and that it was an issue throughout Victoria.

“Regional towns and small towns have large issues with drugs,” he said.

“We’re very aware of community concerns of drug use in general.”

Sgt Wiltshire said the latest arrests were a “very good result”.

“We believe it will have a real impact on supplying drugs in this area,” he said.

“We never say ‘case closed’.”

He said police were not investigating any connections with organised crime groups and there was no indication there were connections to bikies.

Fifteen people were arrested across Shepparton, Cobram and Melbourne during the major operation.

Charges and court dates

• A 28-year-old Mt Waverley man was charged with traffick commercial quantities of methylamphetamine, and proceeds of crime. He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on November 17 2023.

• A 31-year-old Mt Waverley man was charged with traffick commercial quantities of methylamphetamine, and possess proceeds of crime. He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on November 17 2023.

• A 31-year-old Cobram man was charged with traffic large commercial quantities of methylamphetamine and GHB and eight other charges. He was remanded to appear at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on February 13 2024.

• A 29-year-old Shepparton man was charged with traffic commercial quantities of methylamphetamine, GHB, cocaine and nine other charges. He was remanded to appear at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on February 13 2024.

• A 35-year-old Mooroopna man was charged with traffic methylamphetamine, possess cannabis, possess prescription drug, fail to answer bail and commit indictable offence while on bail. He was remanded to appear at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on October 13 2023.

• A 42-year-old Shepparton woman was charged with traffic GHB, possess GHB, and burglary. She was bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on April 26 2024.

• A 51-year-old Shepparton woman was charged with traffic GHB, traffic methylamphetamine and seven other charges. She was bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on October 17 2023.

• A 51-year-old Kialla woman was charged with possess cocaine, possess methylamphetamine, possess cannabis, possess prescription drug, possess ammunition, commit indictable offence while on bail. She was bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on December 4 2023.

• A 28-year-old Kialla woman was charged with traffic GHB and possess GHB. She was bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on January 29 2024.

• A 27-year-old Kialla woman was charged with possess methylamphetamine. She was bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on February 12 2024.

• A 41-year-old Parkdale woman was charged with traffic GHB, possess GHB, possess prohibited weapon, and possess proceeds of crime. She was bailed to appear at Moorabbin Justice Centre on February 18 2024.

• A 34-year-old Melbourne man was charged with traffic methylamphetamine, possess methylamphetamine and four other charges. He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on November 23 2023.

• A 35-year-old Shepparton man was charged with traffic methylamphetamine, traffic GHB, commit indictable offence while on bail, possess GHB, possess cannabis, and possess methylamphetamine. He was bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on December 8 2023.

• A 25-year-old Cobram man was charged with possess methylamphetamine. He was bailed to appear at Cobram Magistrates’ Court on February 7 2024.

• A 33-year-old Cobram man was released and is expecting to be charged on summons with possess methylamphetamine.

Anyone with more information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000 or the Shepparton police station on [phone].