A 42-year-old Morwell man has been captured in Narre Warren following a 10-month police investigation.
He was arrested in the carpark of a shopping centre on Overland Drive and during a search of the man, police found approximately 532g of what is believed to be methylamphetamine with a street value of approximately $48,000.
The 42-year-old man was later charged with traffick large commercial quantity of methylamphetamine; traffick commercial quantity of methylamphetamine; possess methylamphetamine; possess firearm-related item in contravention of Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO); burglary; commit indictable offence whilst on bail; and contravene conduct condition of bail.
The man was remanded to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 15 June 2022.
His arrest came a short time after detectives executed a search warrant at a property in Jarrah Drive, Braeside on Tuesday 22 March, seizing small quantities of cannabis, unknown pills and 1,4-Butanediol; as well as knuckle dusters, fireworks, flares and $5,312 in cash.
During the search warrant at the Braeside property, a second man was arrested and charged with possess cannabis; possess 1,4-Butanediol; possess drug of dependence; possess prohibited weapon; and deal proceeds of crime.
The 35-year-old man was bailed to face Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on 30 June 2022.
The arrests follow an intensive police operation targeting drug traffickers in the La Trobe Valley, with the investigation into the trafficking of commercial quantities of methylamphetamine was led by Morwell Divisional Response Unit, with support from Caulfield Divisional Response Unit and the Special Operations Group.
Detective Senior Constable Jake Bargwanna praised the work of detectives.
“Detectives have worked tirelessly for the best part of a year to track down these alleged offenders and remove hundreds and thousands of dollars’ worth of dangerous drugs from our streets,” Mr Bargwanna said.
“Illicit drugs have a devastating roll on effect throughout the entire community – from drug-fuelled violence, burglaries and thefts committed to support an addiction; to drug-related road trauma, family violence and sexual assaults.
