Raids: Shepparton CIU Detective Senior Constable Lance Wiltshire said it was a “sophisticated distribution network” of drugs.
Photo by
Taylah Baker
Police have busted an alleged drug trafficking ring, seizing more than $100,000 worth of methamphetamines they say was destined for the streets of the Goulburn Valley.
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Fifteen people were charged with offences ranging from trafficking a large commercial quantity of drugs to drug possession after 17 properties were searched.
Nine homes in Greater Shepparton and one in Cobram were raided, along with others in Melbourne suburbs.
Police allege the drugs — 842g of methamphetamines, 40g of cocaine, 50ml of GHB and MDMA — were being brought from Melbourne to Shepparton and Cobram as part of the operation.
Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Lance Wiltshire said those arrested were all part of the one alleged drug trafficking ring.
While two imitation firearms — made to look like real guns — were seized, Det Sen Constable Wiltshire said police were not alleging any violence caused by the group.
He also said police were not concerned about a larger drug war because of this alleged syndicate and that there was no connection to organised crime groups.
He said the police investigation was the culmination of work that began at the start of the year.
While no-one was charged with manufacturing, Det Sen Constable Wiltshire said it was a “sophisticated distribution network”.
“We have zero tolerance to drug trafficking,” he said.
“We hope it sends a clear message to the community we won’t tolerate this.”
For more on who was arrested in the raids, read the story here, and for footage of the arrests, click here.
Operation: Arrests were made across Shepparton and Melbourne. Photo: Police Media.
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