Commercial quantities of illicit drugs, as well as illegal firearms and stolen vehicles, have been seized in a major sweep of raids across Victoria and southern New South Wales.
Police have arrested 21 people from warrants carried out in Sale, Bairnsdale, Mallacoota, Melbourne, Swan Reach and Warrnambool as part of the yearlong operation targeting an alleged drug trafficking network led by East Gippsland Crime Investigation Unit detectives.
Bega Criminal Investigation Branch (NSW Police) also provided support, conducting a search warrant in Eden, NSW.
The warrants, carried out in late October, led police to seize traffickable quantities of methylamphetamine, GHB and cannabis, traffickable quantities of illicit firearms and imitation firearms, a taser, pepper spray, cash and false identity documents.
Police also located a hydroponic cannabis set-up along with stolen items, including cars, jet skis, trailers and power tools.
Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Mehlert, from East Gippsland Crime Investigation Unit, said the major sweep of raids has caused a major dent in the illicit drug trade across Gippsland.
“We have seized a significant quantity of illicit substances over the past few weeks, including methylamphetamine,” Detective Senior Sergeant Mehlert said.
“This has caused a major dent to the illicit drug trade across Gippsland, and we would like to thank the community for their assistance throughout the investigation.
“Victoria Police will remain resolute in our commitment to come down hard on those trafficking drugs.
“For those involved in trafficking commercial quantities of drugs, a maximum sentence of 25 years behind bars is a stark reminder of the risk you run.”
A 51-year-old Bairnsdale man, a 32-year-old Bairnsdale woman, a 50-year-old Payneville man, a 44-year-old Mallacoota woman and a 43-year-old Mallacoota man were arrested in the recent raids sweep.
The 51-year-old Bairnsdale man was remanded to appear at Bairnsdale Magistrates Court on March 5, 2024, facing charges of trafficking a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, trafficking cannabis, trafficking GHB, possessing a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine and GHB, multiple counts of burglaries, theft, handling stolen goods, and evading police in a motor vehicle.
The 32-year-old Bairnsdale woman was charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine and GHB and possessing a commercial quantity of methamphetamine and possession of GHB. She was remanded in custody to appear at the Bairnsdale Magistrates Court on March 6, 2024.
The 50-year-old Payneville man was bailed to appear at Bairnsdale Magistrates Court on March 20, 2024. He faces counts of possessing a traffickable quantity of unregistered firearms, two counts of being a prohibited person possessing firearms and unregistered firearms, unlicensed persons failing to store firearms in a secure manner, handling stolen goods, possessing prohibited weapons, possessing cannabis, and possessing hashish.
The 44-year-old Mallacoota woman was charged with trafficking methylamphetamine, handling stolen goods and possessing proceeds of crime. She was bailed to appear at Bairnsdale Magistrates Court on March 20, 2024.
The 43-year-old Mallacoota man was bailed to appear at Bairnsdale Magistrates Court on March 20, 2024, charged with possessing methylamphetamine, cultivating cannabis, and firearms offences.
