Police have made 210 arrests in a three-month long drug detection operation encompassing Dandenong, Noble Park and Springvale CBDs.
Among those arrested include alleged drug dealers who police will allege were trafficking substances including heroin and methylamphetamine.
Local police have a strong focus on those peddling drugs on local streets, with the latest crime data showing drug trafficking offences rose by almost 110% in Springvale in the year to end of March 2025.
This crackdown has continued in recent months, with police from the Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Policing Unit, officers from Springvale, Dandenong and the Greater Dandenong Divisional Response Unit, Transit Safety Division - with assistance from the Dog Squad, the Public Order Response Team (PORT), and Mounted Branch - targeting those trafficking, dealing and possessing illicit substances.
Arrests of note include:
- On 2 April, a 22-year-old man was allegedly found with heroin in Springvale. He was charged with possessing a drug of dependence and was granted bail.
- On 9 May, a 39-year-old man was arrested in Dandenong and charged with trafficking Methylamphetamine. He was granted bail.
- On 15 May, a 21-year-old woman was spoken to by police in Noble Park, before they uncovered quantities of methylamphetamine, GHB and cannabis, as well as a knife in her pocket/handbag. She was charged with possessing a drug of dependence and possessing a controlled weapon, and was granted bail.
- On 23 May, a 34-year-old man from Caulfield was arrested in Springvale, and was allegedly found in possession of Cocaine. He was charged with trafficking a drug of dependence, and remanded in custody.
- On 17 June, police arrested a 44-year-old man over the alleged possession of heroin in Springvale. He was charged and bailed.
- One man was arrested 11 times during the three-month operation. The 54-year-old has been charged with possessing methylamphetamine, failing to answer bail, and eight counts of contravening bail conditions. He was remanded in custody.
All will face Dandenong Magistrates' Court at later dates.
114 penalty infringement notices and 45 cautions were issued to people for possessing small quantities of drugs, as well as contravening their bail conditions.
Police also provided referrals to local outreach services to support those experiencing homelessness, mental health or drug related issues.
While the focus of the operation cantered around drug offending, police also made several arrests relating to other crimes, including car theft, burglary, theft, assault, possess prohibited weapon, drive whilst suspended, criminal damage and handling stolen goods.
Similar operations will be undertaken in the future.
Quotes attributable to Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Policing Unit Sergeant James Frost:
"In Springvale alone in the past 12 months, we have seen double the amount of drug trafficking offences detected compared to the previous year.
"That is due to the tireless work of our members who are targeting those who choose to prey on vulnerable members of the community with a drug addiction.
"The number of alleged drug offenders who we came into contact with police declined towards the end of this operation, purely because they were aware of our ongoing presence in the area.
"It was enough to deter a lot of people from making the wrong decision twice.
"We will continue to be relentless in our efforts to reduce harm in our community that is caused directly and indirectly by illicit drugs."
