Police raids in Victoria, NSW follow year-long investigation by East Gippsland Crime Investigation Unit

Police have seized commercial amounts of ice and GHB and arrested 21 people in a major sweep of raids across western Victoria and southern New South Wales.

A former Geelong bong shop operator is accused of selling amphetamine to a child while running a two-state drug syndicate centred on Bairnsdale.

Craig Doherty, 51, was one of 21 people arrested in a major police operation which carried out raids from Warrnambool in western Victoria to Eden on the New South Wales south coast, where commercial amounts of ice and GHB were seized.

Mr Doherty, who moved to the Bairnsdale area several years ago, is facing numerous high-level charges.

They include trafficking amphetamine to a child, trafficking a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, trafficking GHB, trafficking cannabis and drug possession offences.

He also faces multiple counts of car theft, burglary, a weapons charge and driving breaches.

Jamie Doherty, the younger brother of Craig, was also arrested and charged as part of the operation, run by detectives from Bairnsdale CIU.

Guns and stolen cards were also uncovered as police arrested 21 people in the operation led by detectives from East Gippsland CIU.

The operation zeroed in on a sprawling two-state drug trafficking network with links from Warrnambool to Eden on the NSW south coast.

Warrants were carried out in Melbourne, Bairnsdale, Mallacoota, Sale, Swan Reach and Warrnambool.

Officers from the Bega CIU were involved in a raid at Eden.

Police have arrested 21 people in raids across western Victoria and southern NSW. Picture: Supplied

The arrests follow a year-long investigation by East Gippsland Crime Investigation Unit. Picture: Supplied

Stolen cars and jetskis were also confiscated, along with cash, fake identity documents and power tools.

A hydroponic cannabis-growing set-up was found by investigators.

Those arrested included:

■ A BAIRNSDALE man, 51, who faces counts of trafficking a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, trafficking cannabis, trafficking GHB, possessing a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, burglaries, thefts, handling stolen goods and evading police.

■ A BAIRNSDALE woman, 32, who faces counts of trafficking a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine and GHB, possessing a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine and possession of GHB.

■ A PAYNESVILLE man, 50, who is charged with possessing a traffickable quantity of unregistered guns, being a prohibited person in possession of firearms, gun storage offences and other weapons and drugs breaches.

Also arrested were a 31-year-old Eastwood woman, a 44-year-old Mallacoota woman and a 41-year-old Nicholson man who were charged with methylamphetamine trafficking and other offences.

A Mallacoota man, 43, was charged with methylamphetamine possession and cannabis cultivation.

Detective Sen-Sgt Andrew Mehlert of East Gippsland CIU said significant amounts of drugs had been seized during the warrants.

“This has caused a major dent to the illicit drug trade across Gippsland and were would like to thank the community for their assistance during the investigation,” Sen-Sgt Mehlert said.