A MELTON West man and a Caroline Springs man were among those charged as police busted a major drug syndicate operating across Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs last week.
Fourteen people – including the two men, aged 27 and 36 – were charged with trafficking and cultivation of a large quantity of cannabis.
The raids were carried out on 20 properties across Melton, Brimbank, Wyndham, Hume and Whittlesea.
They were all remanded in custody to face the Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 31.
Police said the raid uncovered one of the state’s largest drug networks.
More than 5200 cannabis plants were seized with an estimated street value of more than $20 million.
Police believe a organised crime syndicate in Vietnam is connected to the syndicate.
Acting Superintendent Stephen Mutton said the raids served as a warning they would continue to target those involved in cultivating and trafficking illicit drugs.
“As a result of this operation we have been able to disrupt the activities of a significant and sophisticated organised crime syndicate operating in our state,” he said.
