Police have arrested 15 people and seized almost 850 grams of methylamphetamine, firearms, and cash following a series of drug trafficking raids across Shepparton and Melbourne last week.
Detectives from the Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) and Divisional Response Unit (DRU) executed 17 search warrants at properties in Shepparton and Melbourne during a week-long operation between 9 - 13 October.
Police seized approximately:
• 842 grams of Methylamphetamine, worth over $100,000
• 40 grams of cocaine
• 50ml of GHB
• MDMA
• Two imitation firearms
• Ammunition
• An ASP baton
• Over $50,000 cash
• Electronic items, including phones and laptops.
Those arrested by police include:
• A 28-year-old Mount Waverley man was charged with traffick commercial quantities of methylamphetamine, and proceeds of crime. He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 17 November 2023.
• A 31-year-old Mount Waverley man was charged with traffick commercial quantities of methylamphetamine, and possess proceeds of crime. He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 17 November 2023.
• A 31-year-old Cobram man was charged with traffick large commercial quantities of methylamphetamine and GHB, traffick heroin, traffick pseudoephedrine, traffick MDMA, attempt to traffick drug of dependence, traffick heroin, commit indictable offence on bail, possess proceeds of crime, and possess methylamphetamine. He was remanded to appear at Shepparton Magistrates Court on 13 February 2024.
• A 29-year-old Shepparton man was charged with traffick commercial quantities of methylamphetamine, GHB, and cocaine, conspire to commit aggravated home invasion with firearm, possess imitation firearm, obtain property by deception, theft from shop, disqualified driving, evade police, handle stolen goods, burglary, and commit indictable offence while on bail. He was remanded to appear at Shepparton Magistrates Court on 13 February 2024.
• A 35-year-old Mooroopna man was charged with traffick methylamphetamine, possess cannabis, possess prescription drug, fail to answer bail and commit indictable offence while on bail. He was remanded to appear at Shepparton Magistrates Court on 13 October 2023.
• A 42-year-old Shepparton woman was charged with traffick GHB, possess GHB, and burglary. She was bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates Court on 26 April 2024.
• A 51-year-old Shepparton woman was charged with traffick GHB, traffick methylamphetamine, possess methylamphetamine, possess cocaine, possess MDMA, handle stolen goods, possess proceeds of crime, possess prescription medication, and commit indictable offence while on bail. She was bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates Court on 17 October 2023.
• A 51-year-old Kialla woman was charged with possess cocaine, possess methylamphetamine, possess cannabis, possess prescription drug, possess ammunition, commit indictable offence while on bail. She was bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates Court on 4 December 2023.
• A 28-year-old Kialla woman was charged with traffick GHB and possess GHB. She was bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates Court on 29 January 2024.
• A 27-year-old Kialla woman was charged with possess methylamphetamine. She was bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates Court on 12 February 2024.
• A 41-year-old Parkdale woman was charged with traffick GHB, possess GHB, possess prohibited weapon, and possess proceeds of crime. She was bailed to appear at Moorabbin Justice Centre on 18 February 2024.
• A 34-year-old Melbourne man was charged with traffick methylamphetamine, possess methylamphetamine, possess prohibited weapon, possess cartridge ammunition, possess proceeds of crime, and commit indictable offence while on bail. He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 23 November 2023.
• A 35-year-old Shepparton man was charged with traffick methylamphetamine, traffick GHB, commit indictable offence while on bail, possess GHB, possess cannabis, and possess methylamphetamine. He was bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates Court on 8 December 2023.
• A 25-year-old Cobram man was charged with possess methylamphetamine. He was bailed to appear at Cobram Magistrates Court on 7 February 2024.
• A 33-year-old Cobram man was released and is expecting to be charged on summons with possess methylamphetamine.
Anyone found guilty of trafficking a large commercial quantity of drugs may face a maximum penalty up to life in prison, while those found guilty of trafficking drugs face a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.
Quotes attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Shortis, Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit:
"Detectives will allege the group was trafficking methylamphetamine throughout the Shepparton community and into Melbourne.
"Victoria Police remains resolute in our efforts to identify, investigate and dismantle drug traffickers and organised crime networks.
"We will continue to cut off the supply chain of drug traffickers and hold anyone involved to account."
