A licensed electrician and two other men have been arrested today as part of an investigation into cannabis crop houses across the Melbourne metropolitan area linked to a range of organised crime syndicates.
Warrants were executed at address in Hadfield, Airport West, Epping and Coburg by detectives from the North West Metro Regional Crime Squad and Intelligence and Covert Support Command on Thursday, 23 October.
Three men were arrested and subsequently interviewed by police.
A 59-year-old Hadfield man was charged with cultivate narcotic plant (commercial quantity), cultivate narcotic plant and traffick cannabis.
A 41-year-old Epping man has been charged with cultivate narcotic plant, traffick cannabis, possess cannabis, traffick methylamphetamine (commercial quantity), traffick ecstasy (large commercial quantity), possess ecstasy, possess a precursor chemical, possess material and equipment for trafficking in drugs of dependence, drive whilst suspended and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
The pair were remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 24 October.
A 34-year-old Airport West man has been charged with traffick cannabis, possess cannabis, traffick cocaine, possess cocaine, deal with/possess proceeds of crime, possess prohibited weapon and fail to provide information and assistance under warrant.
He has been bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 1 May, 2026.
Police also seized a range of items from the addresses today including drugs, prohibited weapons, cash, a pill press, chemicals and glassware.
Detectives will allege they assisted organised crime syndicates with the installation of electrical bypasses at properties to support the cultivation of cannabis.
Over the past year, investigators have located and dismantled 23 cannabis crop houses where an electrical bypass has been installed, linked to this investigation.
Police have also seized over one tonne of cannabis from those crop houses.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Police are warning those who act as professional facilitators for organised crime syndicates - including tradespeople - that they face significant penalties if caught.
Those facilitators continue to be a focus for Victoria Police in relation to the cultivation and trafficking of illicit drugs.
Anyone with information on illicit drug activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppers.com.au
