Detectives from the Clandestine Laboratory Squad have charged five people and located two clandestine laboratory sites as part of an investigation into the alleged manufacturing of illicit drugs.
With assistance from Major Drug Squad and Mill Park Divisional Response Unit, investigators executed search warrants at a property in Bundoora, a hotel room in Mill Park and a storage unit in Croydon on 2 October.
An active clandestine laboratory was located at the Bundoora address, where detectives seized items including 35 litres liquid MDMA, two handguns, four imitation longarms, ammunition, cannabis, liquid suspected to be methylamphetamine, 1.5 litres of 1,4 Butanediol, clan lab equipment, chemicals and electronic devices.
Three people were arrested at the property.
A 53-year-old Bundoora man was charged with traffick commercial quantity of MDMA, traffick MDMA and possess articles to manufacture.
He was remanded to face Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 8 February 2027.
A 43-year-old Bundoora woman and a 44-year-old Bundoora man were interviewed and are expected to be charged on summons.
Police executed a search warrant at a hotel room in Mill Park, where a further two people were arrested.
Detectives seized MDMA, methylamphetamine and electronic devices.
A 31-year-old Nicholson man was charged with two counts of traffick large commercial quantity of MDMA, two counts of possess articles of manufacture, theft of motor vehicle and two counts of possess precursor.
He was remanded to face Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 8 February 2027.
A 28-year-old Nicholson woman was released pending further enquiries.
As part of the investigation, a search warrant was executed at a storage unit on Lusher Road in Croydon.
Police seized MDMA powder, chemicals and laboratory equipment.
Detectives also searched two properties in Nicholson and a storage unit in Bairnsdale on 6 October.
They located a small quantity of drugs, a pill press and an allegedly stolen vehicle.
Anyone with information on the importation, manufacture or trafficking of illicit drugs is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an anonymous report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Carlie Kohler, Clandestine Laboratory Squad:
"This investigation has disrupted a significant illicit drug manufacturing operation and removed a substantial quantity of dangerous drugs, firearms, chemicals and laboratory equipment from the community. Our investigations indicate these activities were linked to an organised criminal network seeking to profit from the manufacture and distribution of illicit drugs."
"The illicit drug market continues to be a key driver of organised crime in Victoria, generating significant profits that enable criminal networks to expand their offending and perpetuate harm across the community. Operations such as this are designed to dismantle those networks at every opportunity and degrade their ability to operate."
