Drug dealers ply trade on Victoria and Lennox streets, Richmond

DRUG dealers are operating blatantly in broad daylight on Melbourne streets, with more than 20 deals witnessed in two hours at a notorious intersection.

• Police arrest alleged drug king pin

DRUG dealers are operating blatantly, in broad daylight, on the streets of Melbourne.

More than 20 deals were witnessed at a notorious Richmond intersection in just two hours late last week.

Many of the drug dealers were seen carrying satchels of cash as they brazenly strolled up and down Victoria St, at Lennox St, touting for ­business.

The president of the Victoria St Traders Association, Meca Ho, said that the installation of closed circuit TV cameras to prevent and monitor crime remained a priority for local businesses.

“This is why we need CCTV in Victoria St,” Mr Ho said. “We need to see who is buying, and who is dealing.”

The Labor MLA for the state seat of Richmond, Richard Wynne, said the State Government had offered to run a 12-month trial of CCTV in Victoria St, at “minimal cost” to the council.

Drug dealers are plying their illegal trade in plain sight. Picture: Alex Coppel

“Victoria St is at a tipping point,” Mr Wynne said.

“All we are simply saying to the City of Yarra is, partner with us on the issue of CCTV.

“We are not arguing that it is the magic bullet, but it won’t do any harm.

“The results in Footscray have been very positive, and I urge the City of Yarra to listen to traders and their community,” Mr Wynne said.

In 2011, the City of Yarra rejected calls by local traders for video cameras to monitor anti-social behaviour along Victoria St, despite admitting that “drug-related activities” proliferated in the area.

Yarra Mayor Robert Colanzi said: “Responding to criminal activities is the responsibility of Victoria Police.

“And I urge all residents to continue to call police on ­000 to report specific ­illegal matters, or whenever they feel threatened or intimidated.” Cr Colanzi said.

“We invest in improvements such as lighting, and protect public health by monitoring and cleaning up drug hot spots, as well as maintaining syringe disposal units,” he said.

“While Yarra Council resolved in 2011 not to consider installing CCTV at that time, that was more than four years ago. We have invited our new Richmond police manager, Inspector (Dean) McGowan, to come to council to present on public safety and a range of issues, including drugs and CCTV,” Cr Colanzi said.

Drug dealing is again rife in Victoria Street with dealers selling in plain sight. Picture: Alex Coppel

Insp McGowan said that detecting drug trafficking and possession continued to be a local priority.

“Police conduct regular operations to detect and deter illegal drug activity and associated street crime in Richmond,” he said.

“Yarra police are determined to reduce the supply of and demand for illicit drugs to create a safer community for all those living, working and visiting the City of Yarra.”

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