BREAKING: Police have just uncovered a staggering $500,000 worth of cannabis hidden inside shipping containers in suburban warehouses across Melbourne and the regional town of Echuca. The raids, conducted on September 19, 2024, led to the arrest of three alleged drug traffickers connected to a Melbourne-based syndicate with ties to organised crime.
Detectives initiated the investigation in November 2024, focusing on the syndicate’s capacity to distribute “significant quantities of illicit drugs.” During the operation, authorities arrested a 35-year-old man from Keilor Park, a 28-year-old man from Albion, and a 54-year-old man from Echuca. They now face multiple charges, including cultivating cannabis and trafficking drugs.
UPDATE: The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has reported significant findings, including 86 mature cannabis plants and an estimated 25 kilograms of dried cannabis. Additionally, police seized over $200,000 in cash, small quantities of cocaine, weapons, and encrypted devices. These actions are part of a robust effort to combat organised crime and protect the community from the dangers posed by illicit drugs.
AFP Acting Commander Raymond Imbriano praised the dedication of the investigative team: “
We are committed to reducing the threat posed by organised crime to the lives, welfare, and hip pockets of Australians.
” He emphasized the AFP’s mission to create a hostile environment for those seeking to profit from the misery caused by these drugs.
The specific charges against the suspects include serious offenses: the Keilor Park man faces a charge for cultivating cannabis in a commercial quantity, while the Albion man is charged with cultivating a narcotic plant and trafficking a drug of dependence. The Echuca man similarly faces charges related to drug trafficking. Their cases are currently before the courts.
This ongoing investigation is expected to result in further arrests, as authorities continue to dismantle the operations of this alleged syndicate. The community remains on alert as police work to ensure safety and reduce the impact of drug-related crime in the region.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops. The situation underscores the urgent need for vigilance against the threat of organised crime in Melbourne.
