Detectives from the Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) have this week arrested 11 people and seized $600,000 of drugs and cash during an operation aimed at dismantling the alleged primary suppliers of illicit drugs to the Shepparton area.
The arrests follow an extensive eight-month investigation where police believe drugs were being transported from Melbourne and supplied to an alleged drug trafficking ring operating in Shepparton.
Among those arrested were eight Shepparton men who have since been charged with trafficking drugs, including five charged with allegedly trafficking a commercial quantity.
As part of the operation, detectives from Shepparton CIU with support from Mill Park Divisional Response Unit executed 13 search warrants at residential properties and storage sheds across Shepparton and Melbourne on Wednesday 12 June and Thursday 13 June.
Police seized:
• 784 grams of methamphetamine valued at $150,000
• 4.6 kilograms of MDMA valued at $100,000
• 331 grams of cocaine valued at $132,000
• 2.45 kilograms of cannabis valued at $10,000
• $150,000 cash
• Other illicit drugs including GHB and steroids
• A pistol and ammunition
• Three stolen motorbikes
Police arrested the below men who are facing drug trafficking charges:
• A 33-year-old Shepparton man is facing eight charges including traffick large commercial quantities of methylamphetamine, traffick commercial quantity of cocaine, and traffick cannabis. He was remanded to appear at Shepparton Magistrates Court on 22 October 2024.
• A 27-year-old Shepparton man is facing 10 charges including traffick commercial quantities of methamphetamine, traffick commercial quantities of cocaine, traffick cannabis, traffick GHB, traffick ecstasy, and dangerous driving while pursued by police. He was remanded to appear at Shepparton Magistrates Court on 22 October 2024.
• A 36-year-old Shepparton man was charged with traffick commercial quantities of methamphetamine, possess methamphetamine, and deal property suspected to be proceeds of crime. He appeared at Shepparton Magistrates Court today and was bailed to reappear in court on 22 October 2024.
• A 56-year-old Shepparton man was charged with traffick commercial quantities of methamphetamine, traffick methamphetamine, and proceeds of crime. He was remanded to appear at Shepparton Magistrates Court on 22 October 2024.
• A 23-year-old Shepparton man is facing 17 charges including trafficking large commercial quantities of methamphetamine, traffick commercial quantities of ecstasy, traffick cannabis, traffick cocaine, traffick LSD, possess handgun, prohibited person possess firerarm, and unlicensed store firearm. He was remanded to appear at Shepparton Magistrates Court on 22 October 2024.
• A 38-year-old Shepparton man was charged with traffick methylamphetamine, possess methylamphetamine, and deal property suspected proceeds of crime. He was bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates Court on 30 August 2024.
• A 19-year-old Shepparton man was charged with traffick cocaine, traffic methamphetamine, possess cannabis and fail to comply with access to data storage device. He was bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates Court on 2 December 2024.
• A 25-year-old Shepparton man was charged with traffick methamphetamine, traffick cocaine, traffick cannabis, traffick GHB, and possess cocaine. He was bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates Court on 2 December 2024.
Also arrested by police include:
• A 31-year-old Shepparton man was charged with cultivate cannabis and possess cannabis. He was bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates Court at a later date.
• A 28-year-old Reservoir man was charged with possess methylamphetamine, possess cannabis and possess valium. He was bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates Court on 20 December 2024.
The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Quotes attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Shortis - Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit:
"This week's efforts have seen police remove significant amounts of drugs from Shepparton streets, striking a major blow to the illicit drug trade.
"We know that drug use often serves as a springboard to other serious crimes, which can have devastating consequences for our community.
"This is why we will stop at nothing in our pursuit of anyone trying to make a profit from criminal activity.
"If you're thinking about trafficking or manufacturing drugs, this week's operation clearly proves that you have no place to hide."
