Police allege busted Victorian drug ring responsible for 10,000 street deals per week
AN ICE drug ring busted in Victoria’s north was allegedly responsible for up to 10,000 street deals each week.
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AN ICE drug ring busted in Victoria’s north was allegedly responsible for up to 10,000 street deals each week.
Eight people have been charged over the operation and hundreds of thousands dollars in weapons, allegedly stolen motorbikes and electrical equipment seized.
More arrests are expected.
A total of 14 warrants were executed on Wednesday across Shepparton, Mooroopna, Echuca, Kyabram, Tatura and South Morang.
Detective Sen-Sgt Will Watkins, of the Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit, said it would be alleged as much as a kilo of ice was being trafficked each week.
“We are talking a massive amount,’’ he said.
“It’s a significant arrest and should have a significant impact on the amount of ice that is distributed around the rural area.
“What we have is a group of people here who are the higher end, the upper echelon — they aren’t just those who are dealing at a street level.”
Det Sen-Sgt Watkins said the volume of drugs being trafficked could equate to up to 10,000 individual deals a week.
“The amount of money is not as quantifiable as the amount of harm that comes from the drug itself,” he said.
The arrests were the culmination of an eight-month investigation which also uncovered alleged links to drug trafficking in NSW.
More than a dozen allegedly stolen motorbikes were seized from one of the properties in Shepparton.
The operation also uncovered weapons like swords and stun guns and allegedly stolen commercial garden equipment like backpack leaf blowers and chainsaws.
Those arrested range in age from 22 to 48. Two Shepparton men were remanded.
One, 22, faced Shepparton Magistrates’ Court charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of amphetamines, a commercial quantity of methamphetamines, trafficking ecstasy, dealing with proceeds of crime and weapons offences. He was remanded to reappear on August 2.
The second man, 29, will face the same court on May 17 charged with trafficking and possessing methamphetamines and possessing a prohibited weapon.
Two women and four men were bailed to appear before the court at a later date.
They face drug-related charges and one also dealing with proceeds of crime and possession of counterfeit money.