Police arrest 25 people in massive drug dealing crackdown in Springvale

Police have arrested more than two dozen people during a massive two-day crackdown on alleged heroin dealers and clients in Melbourne’s southeast.

More than two dozen people have been arrested during a massive two-day police blitz to crack down on heroin dealing in Springvale this week.

Police on Monday and Tuesday swarmed the Springvale CBD, arresting 25 people as they targeted known heroin dealers and their clients to clamp down on an issue that has plagued the area for decades.

Footage shows police arresting several of the alleged offenders, with one man dropping a syringe in an alleyway before police discovered a wad of cash in his pocket.

Police make arrests in Springvale in a crackdown on alleged drug dealers. Picture: Victoria Police

Police search bags during a blitz on drug dealing in Springvale. Picture: Victoria Police

Officers also seized various drug paraphernalia stored in brown paper bags, with two syringes found discarded next to a $50 note.

Hundreds of dollars worth of cash were also uncovered in a separate arrest made by the force.

Among the 25 individuals taken into custody was a 45-year-old man, who was charged with possess drug of dependence, handle stolen goods, theft, fraud, and possess controlled weapon.

Another man, 44, was charged with possession and using heroin, before being bailed to appear in court at a later date.

A 28-year-old man was charged with possess methylamphetamine and commit indictable offence while on bail. He will also front court at a later date.

A woman, 35, was charged with handling stolen goods and was remanded in custody, while another male, aged 38, was charged over 11 outstanding warrants.

Six people were given move-on directions by police.

Springvale Divisional Response Unit Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Matt Davey said police would continue to come down hard on those moving the drug around local streets.

“Police not only caught offenders making transactions, but we also prevented countless drug deals from occurring,” he said.

Cash found during a police blitz on alleged heroin dealers in Springvale. Picture: Victoria Police

“By targeting dealers and their clientele, we reduce their criminal activities and prevent a myriad of crimes driven by people with a drug dependence, including robberies and assaults.

“This sends a clear message to anyone participating in the distribution of illicit substances: we will hit them where it hurts and cut their flow of buyers.

“There is no place in our society for anyone who preys on people with a drug dependence. “Heroin is an extremely addictive and dangerous drug, and we will continue working around the clock to get it off our streets.”

While latest crime statistics show heroin dealing and trafficking has dropped this year, police say they will continue to work with mental health and rehabilitation services, local council and members of the community to combat the issue.

There were 726 offences detected for heroin use and possession in Victoria for the year ending 2023, down from 814 last year.

The dealing and trafficking of heroin dropped to 254 offences detected, a decrease on the 321 last year.