Detectives from the Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit arrested 11 people and seized $600,000 of drugs and cash last week.
The money and drugs were seized during an operation aimed at dismantling the alleged primary suppliers of illicit drugs to the Shepparton area.
The arrests follow an extensive eight-month investigation where police believe drugs were being transported from Melbourne and supplied to an alleged drug trafficking ring operating in Shepparton.
Among those arrested were eight Shepparton men who have since been charged with trafficking drugs, including five charged with allegedly trafficking a commercial quantity.
Shepparton CIU executed 13 search warrants at residential properties and storage sheds across Shepparton and Melbourne on Wednesday, June 12 and Thursday, June 13.
Police seized
- 784 grams of methamphetamine valued at $150,000
- 4.6 kilograms of MDMA valued at $100,000
- 331 grams of cocaine valued at $132,000
- 2.45 kilograms of cannabis valued at $10,000
- $150,000 cash
- Other illicit drugs including GHB and steroids
- A pistol and ammunition
- Three stolen motorbikes
Police arrested the below men who are facing drug trafficking charges
- A 33-year-old Shepparton man got eight charges including trafficking large commercial quantities of methylamphetamine, trafficking commercial quantity of cocaine and trafficking cannabis.
- A 27-year-old Shepparton man has 10 charges including trafficking commercial quantities of methamphetamine, commercial quantities of cocaine, cannabis, GHB, ecstasy, and dangerous driving while pursued by police.
- A 36-year-old Shepparton man was charged with trafficking commercial quantities of methamphetamine, possessing methamphetamine, and having property believed to be involved in a crime.
- A 56-year-old Shepparton man was charged with trafficking commercial quantities of methamphetamine, methamphetamine, and having cash and/or property believed to be obtained by crime.
- A 23-year-old Shepparton man received 17 charges including trafficking large commercial quantities of methamphetamine, commercial quantities of ecstasy, cannabis, cocaine, LSD, possessing a handgun, possessing a firerarm as a prohibited person and having an unlicensed store firearm.
- A 38-year-old Shepparton man was charged with trafficking methylamphetamine, possessing methylamphetamine, and having property believed to be involved in or obtained through crime.
- A 19-year-old Shepparton man was charged with trafficking cocaine and methylamphetamine, possessing cannabis and failing to comply with giving a access to data storage device.
- A 25-year-old Shepparton man was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis, GHB, and possessing cocaine.
Police also arrested
- A 31-year-old Shepparton man who was charged with producing cannabis and possessing cannabis.
- A 28-year-old Reservoir man who was charged with possessing methylamphetamine, cannabis and valium.
- A 33-year-old Shepparton man who was charged with unrelated matters.
All of the men on drug charges will appear in court.
The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.