Four people have been arrested and 3kg of ketamine and cocaine seized, as a six-month investigation into the supply of illicit drugs across Melbourne concluded this week.
The investigation, led by detectives from the Prahran Divisional Response Unit, commenced in January this year and culminated with a series of warrants across Southbank, South Yarra, Balaclava, and Richmond on Thursday.
The warrants, conducted with the assistance of Stonnington and Port Phillip Crime Investigation Units, as well as Port Phillip & Stonnington Frontline Tactical Unit and Australian Federal Police, led to the seizure of:
• Approximately 2.6kg of ketamine, with an estimated potential street value of $700,000. The ketamine was seized from a Southbank residence.
• Approximately 400 grams of cocaine, with an estimated potential street value of $140,000. The cocaine was seized from the same Southbank residence.
• Almost $90,000 in cash.
• A small quantity of cannabis, steroids and prescription medication.
• Mobile phones and storage devices.
Four people - three men and a woman - were arrested as a result, including:
• A 33-year-old Balaclava man was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of ketamine and cocaine. He was remanded to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court today.
• A 32-year-old South Yarra man was charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug. He was bailed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court at a later date.
• A 33-year-old South Yarra woman and a 46-year-old Southbank man were released pending further inquiries.
Detectives believe this seizure is linked to Operation Woodgate, where Australian Federal police seized more than 200kg of ketamine in Lara in July this year.
Anyone with information about criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Prahran Divisional Response Unit Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Moreland:
"The community can rest assured that we have teams of dedicated detectives working around the clock who are intent on targeting the drug dealers, traffickers, and manufacturers causing the most harm in our community.
"The repercussions of becoming involved in trafficking illicit drugs are life altering, with the maximum punishment life imprisonment.
"Any time we're able to remove significant quantities of dangerous drugs from our streets, it not only delivers a blow to organised crime groups, but also lessens the chance of a drug fuelled fight, a fatal road collision involving an impaired driver, or a property crime driven by a drug addiction."
