Yarra police have made a significant number of arrests as part of their ongoing efforts to target drug trafficking and the harm it inflicts in the community.
Police have arrested 18 people over the last eight days for offences relating to trafficking drugs, drug possession and outstanding warrants.
Of those arrested, seven were charged with drug trafficking offences including:
- A 43-year-old Mooroolbark man
- A 39-year-old Melbourne man
- A 49-year-old Abbotsford man
- A 43-year-old Sunshine man
- A 35-year-old Northcote man
- A 39-year-old Richmond woman
- A 40-year-old Preston man
The arrests come as local police, with the support from the Divisional Response Unit, continue to target recidivist drug offenders in the community.
Yarra Local Area Commander Inspector Anne Rudd said police in Yarra will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt the supply of drugs in the area.
"While we recognise that those who use drugs in the community have a health problem, we also know that drugs are a big contributor to crime in the community," Insp Rudd said.
"The truth is no one benefits from illicit drugs and those that seek to benefit from the misery of others are the focus of our attention.
"The results over the last two weeks show the continued efforts by police with zero tolerance for those who prey on the vulnerable.
"While we are committed to placing offenders who traffick drugs before the courts, we know that locking up drug dealers is only one element to reducing drug harm.
"To tackle the harm caused by drugs in the community, we continue to work closely with the health and education sectors to address the pillars of drug harm minimisation, being prevention, treatment, reducing drug harm and reducing supply."
Police in Yarra run several ongoing operations to target crime, particularly illicit drug dealing and trafficking.
Officers' conduct daily foot patrols along Victoria Street to engage with shop owners and residents, to detect and deter any criminal activity.
These patrols are regularly supported by specialist units such as the Mounted Branch, Transit Safety Division, Bicycle Patrol and Highway Patrol to boost our visibility and provide reassurance to the community.
Operation Guardian, utilising the Operations Response Unit, has been expanded from the CBD into Yarra to provide a public order capability and further support crime reduction.
Police are also involved in a range of community engagement initiatives, which involve them getting out in the community through patrols and at events to provide reassurance, address any concerns, gather intelligence and enforce crime.
Anyone with information about crime or drug trafficking in Yarra is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report online at https://www.crimestoppers.com.au.
