This morning, detectives from a Southern Metro Divisional Response Unit arrested three more people in the south eastern suburbs as part of Operation Diligent.
Operation Diligent commenced in February this year and is a significant investigation into the trafficking of methylamphetamines and firearms in Melbourne's south east.
This morning, police executed a number of search warrants at residential addresses in Chelsea, Bentleigh, Hampton East and Elsternwick as part of the ongoing operation.
Police seized a number of items including methylamphetamine, numerous forms of identification, property which is believed to have been stolen and property which is believed to be the proceeds of crime.
Investigators have charged three people with offences including:
A 32-year-old man from Elsternwick who has been charged with handle stolen goods, possess methylamphetamine and possess proceeds of crime. He has been bailed to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates' Court on 2 October.
A 32-year-old man from Hampton East who has been interviewed in relation to handling stolen goods and possess proceeds of crime. He has been released pending summons.
A 32-year-old woman from Chelsea who has been charged with handle stolen goods and possess proceeds of crime. She has been bailed to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates' Court on 2 February 2021.
This follows arrests earlier in the week where police charged seven people as part of Operation Diligent after warrants were executed at seven locations across Melbourne's south east.
Those arrested were charged with offences including possess an unregistered handgun, dispose of a handgun except to a licensed dealer, traffick and possess 1.4 Butanediol, cannabis, GHB, methylamphetamine, steroids, prescription medication, handle stolen goods and possess proceeds of crime.
Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Rix said that officers from the Divisional Response Unit were committed to investigating this type of serious offending and holding people to account.
"So far, as part of Operation Diligent, we've arrested ten people who are believed to be linked to significant drug and firearm offending, as well as being linked to other crimes such as burglaries, thefts and deception offences," D/S/Sgt Rix said.
"We know this type of offending continues to be a significant concern for members of our community and we want to reassure everyone that police will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle and disrupt groups which seek to cause harm.
"By disrupting crime syndicates in the south eastern suburbs, we hope to see a flow on effect in the community with a reduction in street and drug-related crime."
The Southern Metro Divisional Response Unit were supported by a number of other units in the execution of these arrests, including general duties police, Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit and Bayside Family Violence Investigation Unit.
