Officers from the VIPER Taskforce have arrested four men as part of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking.
The group were arrested after officers from VIPER, Public Order Response Team (PORT) and the Clandestine Labs Squad executed six search warrants at locations in Tatura, Wallan, St Albans, Tullamarine, Keilor Downs and Strathmerton yesterday.
During the search warrants, officers located and seized a number of items including:
• over 2kg of methylamphetamine
• approximately 4.5 litres of 1.4 butanediol
• a quantity of amphetamine
• approximately 800 litres of herbicide and number of other chemicals,
• ammunition
• approximately $2000 cash
• a taser.
Investigators also seized a dismantled clandestine laboratory at the St Albans property.
A 46-year-old man from Keilor Downs was charged with traffick commercial quantity 1.4 butanediol.
He was bailed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 9 July.
A 39-year-old Wallan man and a 55-year-old St Albans man were both released pending summons.
A 31-year-old St Albans man was arrested, before being released pending further enquiries.
The VIPER Taskforce is a tactical and investigative unit based within Crime Command focused on preventing, detecting, deterring, disrupting and dismantling the criminal activities of groups such as outlaw motorcycle gangs, organised crime networks and street gangs.
The taskforce, which commenced in July 2022, supports the work of specialist investigation units and regional police by providing further investigation tactics and enforcement actions.
VIPER is an acronym for visibility, intelligence, prevention, enforcement and reassurance.
Anyone with information about illicit drug activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
