Two recent Organised Crime Squad investigations have resulted in the seizure of 59kg of methylamphetamine and the significant disruption of the cannabis grow house industry in Western Australia.
The unrelated investigations resulted in a string of search warrants across the Metropolitan Region within the past fortnight.
Operation Trident Coyote involved search warrants in South Lake, Perth and Rivervale and resulted in:
· The arrest of two men – a 44-year-old from Bennett Springs and a 28-year-old man from South Lake - at a South Lake home on Friday 10 May.
· The seizure of 59kg of methylamphetamine.
· The arrest of two New South Wales men – aged 41 and 28 – at a Perth hotel where $66,750 was seized.
· The arrest of a 45-year-old Victorian man from a Rivervale hotel where $70,950 was seized.
All five men have been charged with serious offences including conspiracy to supply a trafficable quantity of prohibited drug, possess a trafficable quantity of a prohibited drug and possess stolen or unlawfully obtained property.
They have appeared in court and are all due to reappear at a later date.
Separate to Operation Trident Coyote, Organised Crime Squad Detectives conducted search warrants on Monday 13 May as part of Taskforce Silverdrift, which was established in 2017 to investigate cannabis grow houses in Western Australia.
Monday's activities included:
· Search warrants at a commercial property in Malaga and properties in Morley, Thornlie,
Belmont and Ballajura.
· Eight people arrested and charged with serious offences.
· The seizure of 30 pallets of hydroponic equipment, dozens of boxes of growing chemicals and large quantities of cannabis.
Since Taskforce Silverdrift was initiated, Detectives have conducted 193 search warrants which have resulted in charges against 131 people over 291 offences, including 180 charges of cultivate a prohibited plant with intent to sell or supply. More than 30,000 cannabis plants, 708kg of cannabis head and $1.7 million cash has also been seized as a result of Taskforce Silverdrift investigations.
"The Organised Crime Squad has achieved outstanding results in removing dangerous illicit drugs from our community," WA Police Force Commissioner Chris Dawson said.
"These drugs have a serious impact upon our community – including crime in our neighbourhoods, health and mental health systems, and upon the families of those addicted to these harmful drugs."
Police Minister Michelle Roberts: "Under changes made by the McGowan Government, meth traffickers now face life imprisonment.
"I want to congratulate all the officers involved in these operations, which have prevented a significant amount of drugs entering our community."
Anyone with information regarding the illicit drug trade is encouraged to contact WA Police Force on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au
