Victoria Police seized 38 kilograms of cocaine worth $12.3 million and arrested three people this week, with a trafficking syndicate alleged to have been operating out of Braybrook and Fraser Rise.
Police allege the syndicate was also using two vehicles to travel interstate.
Police intercepted one of the vehicles on the Hume Highway near Euroa and the other at an address in Sunshine on Monday, September 8.
Police said a searched of both vehicles found 32 kilograms of cocaine, money and several mobile phones.
Warrants were then executed the same day at a property on Royal Avenue, Braybrook, as well as the following day at addresses in Fraser Rise, Sunshine and Cairnlea.
Police allege to have found a sophisticated drug lab along with various chemicals, equipment and weapons at the Braybrook house.
Further drugs, including six kilograms of cocaine and 16 kilograms of methylamphetamine were seized from the addresses, as well as three handguns, two 3D printed firearms, ammunition and about $70,000 in cash.
It means police seized a total of 38 kilograms of cocaine, which has an estimated potential street value of $12.3 million.
The 16 kilograms of methylamphetamine seized by police has an estimated potential street value of $9.6 million.
A 30-year-old Sunshine man was arrested and charged with trafficking large commercial quantities of cocaine and methylamphetamine and possessing equipment for manufacture.
A 31-year-old Cairnlea man and a 26-year-old Fraser Rise man were also arrested and charged with trafficking large commercial quantities of cocaine.
All three men have been remanded to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on January 30.
Major Drug Squad Detective Inspector Jamie Walker said drug trafficking does not just affect those using the substances – it drives violence, crime and trauma right across the state.
“As the cost of living has risen, we are not seeing the appetite for illicit drugs go down in any way. We know that people have consistently had a significant appetite for illicit drugs and as such, our willingness to pay a premium for them has made us an attractive market for serious and organised crime groups involved in the drug trade,” he said.
The arrests form part of an ongoing 18-month investigation focused on dismantling a sophisticated and organised drug trafficking syndicate operating within Melbourne’s west and north-west.
Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
