A man has been charged after police seized methylamphetamine, cash and ammunition in Melbourne's south-east on Saturday.
Detectives from the Monash Crime Investigation Unit executed two warrants in Clarinda and Clayton South on 6 December as part of an ongoing arson and drug trafficking investigation.
The investigation commenced after two alleged arson attacks at sporting clubs in Melbourne's east in April and May this year.
It then evolved into a significant drug trafficking investigation, with police allegedly seizing around one kilogram of methylamphetamine throughout the course of the operation.
On Saturday, police arrested a 43-year-old man in Clarinda before locating a quantity of methylamphetamine, ammunition and $40,000 cash.
He was later charged with 14 offences including:
- trafficking a large commercial quantity of methylamphetamine;
- three counts of criminal damage by fire for incidents unrelated to the sporting facility fires;
- possessing cartridge ammunition;
- possessing a firearm or firearm related item in contravention of a firearm prohibition order; and
- knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
He faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Monday and was remanded to appear again on 25 March 2026.
During the Clayton South search, officers arrested a 19-year-old man before seizing an imitation firearm and more than $17,000 cash.
He was charged with possessing an imitation firearm and bailed to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates Court on 26 February 2026.
A 25-year-old woman - who was arrested in Clarinda - was released without charge.
Investigations into the sporting club fires are continuing.
The first incident occurred at Capital Reserve in Glen Waverley about 3am on 16 April.
Club rooms at a Mayfield Drive building in Mount Waverley were subsequently targeted about 5.15am on 3 May.
Both buildings were destroyed, causing more than $4 million in damage.
Two other men were arrested in October as part of the investigation.
The first man, aged 31 from Dandenong, was charged with two counts of arson and two counts of theft of motor vehicle.
He was remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 30 January 2026.
The second man, aged 35 from Clyde North, was charged with drug and firearm offences after police located firearms, ammunition, weapons, cash and drugs during a search of a Clyde North address.
He was remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 9 January 2026.
Police expect to lay further charges on the man in relation to the arsons.
Anyone with information about the arson attacks is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
