Caulfield Divisional Response Unit (DRU) have arrested five people and executed several search warrants as part of the second phase of a drug operation in the inner south eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
Detectives executed six warrants this morning as part of Operation Brandish, phase two, at properties in Ormond (x3), Bentleigh East, Carnegie and Caulfield South from 7am.
The operation which has been running for over 12-months, targeted a criminal network believed to be trafficking primarily methylamphetamine in the inner south eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
The warrants were executed at business and residential properties in:
• Ulupna Rd, Ormond
• North Road, Ormond
• Baranni Street, Bentleigh East
• Glen Huntly Rd, Caulfield South
• Woorayl St, Carnegie
• Ormond Rd, Ormond
Detectives seized a commercial quantity of what is believed to be MDMA, methylamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis and heroin, a quantity of hallucinogenic mushrooms, thousands of dollars in cash and a firearm.
Investigators arrested five people during the execution of the warrants including:
• A 50-year-old man from Bentleigh East
• A 35-year-old man from Carnegie
• A 36-year-old woman from Carnegie
• A 53-year-old woman from St Kilda
• A 45-year-old man from Ormond.
They are all currently assisting police with their enquiries.
Investigators are expecting to make more arrests and the investigation remains ongoing.
Today's arrests follow the arrest of 20 people in August and the execution of numerous warrants across 12 locations in the south east where a substantial quantity of drugs and cash was seized.
A number of people are still currently before the courts in relation to the first phase which also targeted people involved in drug trafficking and organised crime.
Caulfield Divisional Response Unit were supported by a number of other units during the execution of these arrests including; Prahran and Dandenong DRU's, Bayside Sexual Offence and Child Abuse Investigation Team, Crime Scene Services, Dog Squad, Southern Metro Frontline Tasking Unit and the Southern Metro Crime Team.
Police urge anyone with information about drug trafficking in their community to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Quotes attributable to Acting Commander Sharon McKinnon.
"Organised criminals work against everything that is good about our community and for their own greed and profit take advantage of those that may be more vulnerable."
"The community can be confident that Victoria Police will work tirelessly to detect and disrupt those who chose to bring harm to our community."
