Hume Crime Investigation Unit detectives have disrupted a major crime syndicate, arresting 12 people and seizing approximately 7,000 cannabis plants as part of a 10-month long investigation.
Detectives working as part of Operation Crawl have been targeting an alleged organised crime syndicate responsible for cultivating large-scale cannabis crops inside factories across Melbourne.
In total, detectives have seized approximately 7,000 cannabis plants weighing in at more than five tonnes. These plants were allegedly being cultivated across 11 factory style set ups, with their street value estimated to be worth up to $12 million.
The factories were located right across the state, including Campbellfield, Braeside, Kilsyth, Carrum Downs, Seaford, Ravenhall, Truganina and Derrimut.
Police will also allege that the factories were set up to steal electricity from the grid, with hundreds of thousands of dollars of electricity theft believed to be disrupted.
12 people have been arrested in total over the 10 months, with two of those arrests occurring this morning.
This includes a 31-year-old Sunshine North man and a 24-year-old St Albans man who are expected to be charged with commercial scale cultivation of a narcotic plant.
The arrests follow recent search warrants which were executed on Telley Street in Ravenhall on 9 August and Derrimut Crescent in Derrimut on the 10 August.
Anyone with information about drug manufacturing is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Hume CIU Detective Sergeant Joseph Hartwig:
"This is a significant operation resulting from a dedicated investigation by Hume's Crime Investigation Unit which has seen thousands of illicit drugs seized."
"Police will be alleging those arrested are a part of a significant organised crime syndicate, seeking to profit off the most vulnerable in our community."
"We know the flow on effect of illicit drugs causes devastation throughout the community - with drug-fuelled driving, family violence and assaults."
"We make no apologies for having zero tolerance for drug manufacturers, and will continue to focus on disrupting the supply of drugs in the community."
