Police have arrested nine people this month as part of an ongoing investigation into the trafficking and dealing of cocaine and other illicit drugs in Mansfield and surrounding areas.
Mansfield Uniform officers, supported by members of the Seymour Divisional Tasking Unit, Seymour Divisional Firearms Officer, Dog Squad, Benalla Crime Investigation Unit and Mansfield Highway Patrol, executed warrants at three residential properties across Mansfield last Thursday (17 June 2021).
Police seized quantities of cocaine, methylamphetamine, cannabis, a taser, drug trafficking paraphernalia, cash and a GPS tracker. Three people were arrested including:
• A man in his 30s who was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine, possessing a drug of dependence, and possessing a prohibited weapon. He was remanded to appear at Myrtleford Magistrates' Court on 18 June where he was sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order and required to complete 120 hours of community service.
• A 29-year-old Mansfield woman was arrested and interviewed for possessing a drug of dependence. She was released pending summons.
• A 29-year-old Mansfield man was arrested and interviewed for possessing a drug of dependence. He was released pending summons.
Throughout the month of June, police arrested a further six people as part of the investigation, including:
• Following the execution of a search warrants at an individual's residential and business premises on Monday 14 June, police charged a 44-year-old Mansfield man with possessing a drug of dependence. He was bailed to appear at Mansfield Magistrates' Court on 22 September. Police seized quantities of cocaine and cash at the business address.
• A 53-year-old man was arrested and charged with possessing a drug of dependence following the execution of a warrant in Merrijig. He was bailed to appear at Mansfield Magistrates' Court on 22 September.
• Four females aged in their 20s were arrested and interviewed for possessing cocaine after police became aware of alleged drug use at a social function via social media. The females were issued with diversion notices.
A further two search warrants were executed at Goughs Bay as part of the investigation where police seized quantities of cannabis, ammunition, and controlled weapons. Investigations are ongoing.
Anyone with information about crime or drug trafficking in Mansfield and the North East region is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report online at https://www.crimestoppers.com.au.
Quotes attributable to Mansfield Senior Sergeant Steve Carden
"Victoria Police's commitment to minimising the devastating impacts of drugs in the community is unwavering. We thank the Mansfield community for their ongoing support, information, and collaboration in our efforts to address this issue.
"The harm caused by illicit drugs ripples throughout our entire community - with drug-fuelled violence, burglaries and thefts committed to support an addiction, drug-related road trauma, family violence and sexual assaults."
"Mansfield police will continue to have an ongoing focus targeting street level drug dealing and possession to create a hostile environment for drug traffickers to operate."
"The information we receive from the community about crime is extremely invaluable, we urge anyone with knowledge about criminal activity to report this to police."
