Police have seized more than a quarter of a million dollars' worth of MDMA and arrested four men for allegedly manufacturing and trafficking drugs, possessing weapons, and stealing cars and a boat.
Detectives from the Caulfield Divisional Response Unit began an investigation into drug trafficking across Melbourne's southeast in October last year.
This investigation culminated early on Thursday morning, with the Caulfield DRU, Mornington Peninsula CIU, Moorabbin CIU and the Dog Squad conducting a series of warrants across Braeside, Hampton, Moorabbin, and Port Melbourne.
During a search at a home on Olive Street, Hampton, police allegedly located approximately 1kg of MDMA with an estimated potential street value of $250,000. Quantities of cocaine, ketamine and steroids were seized, along with fraudulent identification and several prohibited weapons including an electronic stun device and butterfly knives. Police also seized a ballistics vest and multiple rounds of ammunition.
At a home on Ross Street, Port Melbourne, investigators uncovered an imitation AK-47, quantities of cocaine, MDMA, multiple vials and packets of testosterone, as well as electronic devices.
Police seized two commercial pill press machines and other equipment consistent with the manufacture of drugs at a factory on Graham-Duff Boulevard Street, Braeside. Police also uncovered 55 cannabis plants, GHB and ammunition.
At an automotive centre on Chesterville Road, Moorabbin, police located two vehicles, including a Holden Commodore alleged to have been stolen from Dandenong two weeks ago, as well as a trailer and boat, believed to have been stolen from Carrum Downs in April last year.
Four men aged 18, 21, 22 and 53 were arrested:
• A 53-year-old Hampton man was charged with trafficking and possessing drugs of dependence and equipment for manufacturing drugs, cultivating a narcotic plant, and possessing ammunition.
• A 21-year-old Port Melbourne man was charged with possessing an imitation firearm, possessing cocaine and ecstasy, as well as four counts of possessing drugs of dependence. He was also charged with four counts of failing to provide assistance or information under warrant.
• A 22-year-old man from Hampton was charged with possessing prohibited weapons and ammunition, and failing to provide assistance to police.
All three were bailed to appear in Moorabbin Magistrates' Court on 6 June.
An 18-year-old man also arrested at the Hampton address was released pending summons for weapons-related offences.
