A highly visible, robust police operation which has seen more than 80 arrests throughout the year will kick off again this week in the Richmond area.
Operation Cargo is led by the Melbourne Divisional Response Unit (DRU) and runs regularly all year round to engage with the community, detect and deter criminal offending and reduce anti-social behaviour.
The operation sees uniform and plain clothed police combine with specialist resources from the Mounted Branch, Dog Squad and Highway Patrol utilising Automatic Numberplate Recognition Technology to saturate the area while gathering intelligence and targeting crime.
Police have arrested 85 people as part of Operation Cargo throughout the year for criminal behaviour, including street level drug dealing, and issued over 100 penalty notices for both criminal and traffic offences.
Nearly 700 people have been engaged with as part of the operation, meaning police have strengthened community relationships while also gathering intelligence that has led to offenders being arrested and held accountable.
Some examples of this work includes:
• On 2 September, the Melbourne DRU executed a search warrant in Abbotsford as a result of intelligence gained through Operation Cargo. Police seized 41 grams of heroin and $58,000 cash as a result of the warrant. A female aged in her 30s was charged with drug trafficking and remanded to appear at court at a later date.
• On 20 October, officers searched a male in Richmond following a detection made by a PAD dog during an Operation Cargo patrol. Police seized approximately 30 grams of methyl amphetamine, a quantity of cocaine and heroin, and approximately $1000 cash. The man, aged in his 20s, was subsequently charged with drug trafficking.
Victoria Police will continue to run regular intelligence led operations and proactive patrols in the Yarra area to further prevent crime and detect criminal offending.
Operation Cargo will run from Tuesday 14 December to Thursday 16 December this week.
Those with information about drug trafficking, or illegal activity in the Yarra area are asked to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or by submitting a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Melbourne Divisional Response Unit Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Grant James:
"We've achieved some significant results this year through Operation Cargo, but this is only one example of our commitment to address crime, particularly drug trafficking."
"Drugs have the capacity to cause harm every time they are consumed - this is why we will continue to relentlessly investigate and pursue the traffickers and dealers profiting from this trade."
"The Yarra area, including Richmond, Collingwood, Abbotsford and surrounds will continue to be regularly patrolled by uniform police, detectives and specialist resources to provide reassurance, address any concerns, gather intelligence and deter crime."
