Drugs, weapon trafficking syndicate busted in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs
A weapons cache, stolen BMW and cocktail of drugs have been uncovered, and seven people arrested after police raids across Melbourne swooped on a massive drug and firearm trafficking syndicate.
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A massive drug and firearm trafficking syndicate has been busted in Melbourne’s richest suburbs.
Seven people were arrested by detectives on Tuesday as part of Operation Diligent, a major investigation into methamphetamine and weapons dealing in Melbourne’s southeast.
Police raided homes in Brighton, Oakleigh South, Bentleigh, Bentleigh East, Cheltenham and Clayton.
A cache of deadly weapons including a .22 calibre handgun, a shortened double barrel shotgun, pen pistol, ammunition, firearm components, two tasers and other illegal weapons were seized by police.
Detectives also seized a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, trafficable quantities of cocaine cannabis, GHB, steroids, 1.4 butanediol, various prescription medications and documents and equipment for the manufacturing of drugs.
A stolen BMW, stolen property, identification documents and property believed to be the proceed of crime were also located.
Special Operations Group and Critical Incident Response Team officers, the Dog Squad, Clan Lab unit and various criminal investigation units helped in the arrests carried out by the Southern Metro Divisional Response Unit.
Those arrested include five men and two women aged 24 to 56 from suburbs including Brighton and Bentleigh.
Six of them are facing a raft of charges including trafficking methylamphetamine, possessing a prohibited weapon and some will face the Melbourne and Moorabin magistrates’ courts today.
A 26-year-old Clayton South man was interviewed over the drugs and weapons but released pending summons.
Superintendent Sharon McKinnon said police have busted a significant criminal syndicate peddling firearms and drugs in our community”.
“This type of offending continues to be a key focus for police in the south east and we have zero tolerance for those bringing harm to the community,” she said.
“We know that drugs continue to be a key driver for further crimes such as thefts, burglaries and robberies – crimes that are often committed to fuel a growing drug dependence.
“Through the execution of warrants and arrests like we saw today, we know we will see a flow on effect with a reduction in street crime in the surrounding suburbs.”
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