Michaela Meade
Police executed a number of warrants across Hume and Whittlesea yesterday as part of an investigation that has led to Victoria’s largest ever heroin seizure.
The warrants were executed from 7am at residential and commercial properties in Campbellfield, Coolaroo, Greenvale, Wollert, Craigieburn, Broadmeadows, Tullamarine, Reservoir, Pascoe Vale South, Melbourne and Fawkner.
Three people were arrested, including a 41-year-old Campbellfield man, a 39-year-old Greenvale woman and a 33-year-old Fawkner man.
Police said all three will be interviewed.
A firearm, cash, diamonds, computer equipment, and drugs including MDMA, cannabis and tobacco were seized from the addresses, police said.
Victoria Police crime commander Mick Frewen said the investigation showed that police often deal with organised crime syndicates that have “immense reach”.
“They are essentially trafficking immense harm into Victoria and profiting off our community’s misery, and they have absolutely no qualms doing this,” he said.
“Our police see the day to day impacts of this, so to be able to target and dismantle a syndicate such as this is incredibly satisfying for all involved.
“The fact that they have been able to operate at this level over the past 18 months also shows that COVID-19 has had very little impact on the drug trade or reduced it in any way.
“Victoria Police will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who bring that harm to our state are held to account, and that those serious and organised crime groups involved in the trafficking of illicit drugs are strongly and deliberately targeted.”
The warrants formed part of an 18 month investigation by the Joint Organised Crime Task Force (JOCTF) into trafficking of illicit drugs and tobacco linked to a Middle Eastern Organised Crime Group syndicate.
The JOCTF is comprised of Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Department of Home Affairs.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about illicit drug activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
