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The Age – Ice, heroin syndicate busted after Melbourne drug raids

15 August 2016 – Author: Emily Woods – Source: The Age

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Police at a clandestine drug lab discovered in a Braeside self storage facility. Photo: Penny Stephens

A drug syndicate peddling ice, heroin, cocaine and cannabis from Melbourne’s southern suburbs has been busted after a number of raids on Monday morning, police say.

Police raided 13 properties in Chelsea, Aspendale, Hampton Park, Springvale South, Notting Hill, Dandenong, Cheltenham, Moorabbin, Seaford, Frankston and Mordialloc, following a 10-month investigation.

Detectives also raised a self storage facility in Braeside, where they uncovered a clandestine drug lab.

Fourteen people were arrested, as police seized a “substantial amount” of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, cannabis, two samurai swords, cash, an imitation firearm, stolen property and drug paraphernalia.

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Police guard the Braeside self storage facility. Photo: Penny Stephens

By Monday afternoon 11 people had been charged and one person cautioned:

– A 44-year-old Cheltenham man, 25-year-old Seaford man and a 19-year-old Mordialloc man were charged with trafficking methylamphetamines and were due to face Moorabbin Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon;

– A 32-year-old Notting Hill man and 42-year-old Moorabbin woman were charged with trafficking methylamphetamines and were both bailed by police;

– A 29-year-old Frankston man was charged with weapon and ammunition offences and was bailed by police

– A 26-year-old Notting Hill woman is expected to be charged on summons with trafficking methylamphetamines, while a 25-year-old Aspendale man is expected to be charged on summons with handling stolen goods;

– A 22-year-old Springvale man received a caution regarding cannabis possession;

– A 26-year-old Dandenong man and 26-year-old Dandenong woman are expected to be charged on summons with trafficking methylamphetamines;

– A 41-year-old Frankston man, who was released pending summons, is expected to be charged with weapons and ammunition offences.

Police remained at a number of properties on Monday afternoon, including the clandestine laboratory found inside the Industrial Drive storage shed in Braeside.

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Police inspect items taken from the Braeside self storage facility. Photo: Penny Stephens

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Rix said police had successfully disrupted the flow of methamphetamine onto Melbourne’s streets.

“Make no mistake, the arrests today have dismantled an organised crime syndicate which until now has profited from our community,” Senior Sergeant Rix said.

“Unfortunately the demand for these types of illicit substances continues to grow, so those who use and buy need to know they are contributing to organised crime.

“Whilst the operation and the warrants today have made a significant impact on the syndicate we still have more work to do and the investigation is ongoing.”