Throughout the month of April, Yarra police charged 16 people with drug trafficking and a further 14 people with drug possession, demonstrating the commitment to reducing the harm caused by drugs in the community.
These results come as part of dedicated ongoing operations by Yarra police to detect and deter crime and illicit drug activity across Richmond, Collingwood and Fitzroy.
The results come as part of Operation Enforcement, a new dedicated local drug enforcement strategy in Yarra.
Operation Enforcement incorporates the High-visibility Community Engagement Team (HiCET) who work with local businesses and stakeholders to analyse intelligence everyday and provide a targeted response to prevent and detect crime.
In addition to the HiCET, uniformed and plain clothed detectives from the Yarra Tasking Team conduct regular operations in the area, including at train stations, tram stops and tram routes in Richmond and surrounding areas.
The results are also a result of regular activities conducted by the Yarra Bike Patrol Unit, who have a significant focus on both road safety and reducing drug crime, enforcing public order and engaging with the community to ensure they feel safe.
These patrols are also supported by additional units including Protective Services Officers, Transit police, Highway Patrol, Public Order Response Team and Mounted Branch who provide a specialist response and boost the visibility of police in the area.
Quotes attributable to Acting Superintendent Kelvin Gale
"Our commitment to minimising the devastating impacts of drugs in the community is unwavering."
"The harm caused by illicit drugs ripples throughout our entire community - with drug-fuelled violence, burglaries and thefts committed to support an addiction, drug-related road trauma, family violence and sexual assaults."
"Yarra police will continue to have a proactive, ongoing focus targeting street level drug dealing and possession to create a hostile environment for drug traffickers to operate."
"Our number one priority is community safety and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure everyone in Yarra is safe."
"The information we receive from the community about crime is extremely invaluable, and we urge anyone with knowledge about criminal activity to report this to police."
Throughout the month of April, police charged 16 people with drug trafficking and 14 with drug possession, including:
• Following the execution of a search warrant at a residential premises in Clifton Hill on 6 April, police charged five males and one female with drug trafficking and dealing with the proceeds of crime. Police seized quantity of illicit drugs including cannabis, LSD, magic mushrooms (Psilocybin) as well as cash, six conducted energy devices and OC spray.
• A woman was charged with drug trafficking on 6 April in Richmond. Police intercepted her car after observing her using a mobile phone while driving. Upon further enquiries, police discovered she also had a suspended driver's licence and was in possession of methylamphetamine.
• A 45-year-old male was charged with drug trafficking in Richmond on 8 April following an intercept of his vehicle, where a quantity of heroin was located in addition to approximately $1000 of casino chips, multiple mobiles and thousands in cash.
• Two females, a 66-year-old and a 43-year-old from Richmond were charged with drug trafficking and drug possession on 14 April following a warrant which was executed at a residential premises. Police seized a quantity of heroin and other items allegedly used to deal illicit substances. Both females were remanded in custody to appear at court at a later date.
• Police were performing a vehicle check in Abbotsford on 15 April, where two occupants were inside acting suspiciously. After speaking with the males, police located a quantity of methylamphetamine and large amounts of cash. A 26-year-old male was charged with trafficking methylamphetamine and was remanded in custody to appear at court at a later date.
• Police observed two males attempting to break into cars and steal mail from letterboxes in Carlton North on 17 April. Upon their arrest, both males were also found to be in possession of GHB and other items used to assist them breaking into cars. A 35-year-old male was subsequently charged with drug trafficking, drug possession and other matters relating to the attempted theft. He was remanded in custody to appear at court at a later date.
• Yarra detectives executed a warrant on 21 April at a residential premises in Abbotsford and Nunawading and located a commercial quantity of heroin, methylamphetamine and equipment allegedly used to traffic illicit drugs. A 52-year-old male and 42-year-old male were both charged with these offences and remanded in custody to appear at court at a later date.
• Police responded to reports of five male youths causing trouble at the intersection of Victoria and Brunswick Streets on 22 April. Upon arrival, police located freshly painted graffiti and found one of the males to be in possession of a quantity of ketamine. He was subsequently charged with drug trafficking, and all five were charged with marking graffiti.
• Police were called to reports of a male causing trouble at the intersection the corner of Elizabeth and Church Street on 22 April. Police arrived and arrested the male for an outstanding warrant. Once he was arrested, the male was found to be in possession of a large amount of heroin, methylamphetamine, cannabis and also a large amount of cash. The 54-year-old male was charged with trafficking the illicit drugs and he was remanded in custody to appear at court at a later date.
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.
