South East Metro Police uncover $1.7m worth of drugs in major operation

SOUTH East Metro Police have uncovered $1.72 million worth of drugs and charged 152 people with more than 420 offences in a major crime operation.

Police seized more than $260,000 in cash, stolen property estimated at $350,000, 1.53kg of methylamphetamine, 7kg of cannabis, 150g of cocaine and 58 ecstasy tablets.

According to police, the methylamphetamine is worth approximately $1.53 million on the streets and all the drugs are estimated to be worth $1.72 million.

The crime operation was targeting volume crime and suburban drug dealing in the South East Metropolitan District.

Police searched 80 premises and 44 people were charged with intent to sell or supply methylamphetamine.

Police also seized 14 firearms, including two homemade sub machine guns, ammunition and other weapons.

South Metropolitan Region Commander Pryce Scanlan said suburban ‘drug homes’ were often a centre point for high volume crimes.

“The occupants of these properties are causing significant harm in our community, and in many cases are also bringing misery to their law abiding neighbours,” Cmdr Scanlan said.

“These homes are characterised by frequent visits from multiple vehicles at any hour of the day, and often generate anti-social behaviour which disrupts the lives of innocent people.

“We initially started with a list of 25 houses based on information supplied by the public and from police intelligence holdings, but that has grown significantly to the 80 premises raided so far.”

The operation has involved more than 200 officers from the South East Metropolitan Police District, State Traffic Operations, Mounted and Canine Operations, and the Organised Crime Squad’s Meth Teams, which were created under the Meth Enforcement Action Plan.

Suspicious behaviour can be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.