Biggest raid

By Lia Bichel
MORE than 40 people were arrested and 8040 cannabis plants seized this week from properties across the state during the biggest operation in Victoria Police’s history.
From 7am on Tuesday morning, Operation Entity saw more than 630 sworn and unsworn members of the Drug Task Force, Criminal Proceeds Squad, Crime Department, Operations Response Unit, specialist squads and local police, along with members of the AFP execute warrants across the state, including in Narre Warren South.
Narre Warren South mother of two, Wendy Dyson, said they were worried drugs were found in the area, but hoped it would teach people a valuable lesson.
“This might be a wake-up call to many people. Everyone gets caught eventually,” Ms Dyson said.
“It worries me that there are drugs in the area because I have two children, aged 16 and 13- but I know they won’t be into drugs at all. I told them everyone gets caught eventually.”
During Operation Entity, police located and seized cannabis with a street value of several million dollars.
Police said several million dollars worth of residential and commercial real estate was in the process of being restrained, the largest property seizure in Victoria.
The seizures are associated with a two-year investigation into suspected crime syndicates involved in the cultivation and distribution of cannabis.
It is believed that those syndicates are responsible for the production of almost $400 million worth of cannabis in the past two years.
Police said the investigation was continuing, with the potential for further warrants and asset and drug seizures.
Deputy Commissioner Sir Ken Jones said the results highlighted the work by police to target drug activity in Victoria.
“As a result of this operation we believe we have been able to disrupt the activities of a significant drug and organised crime syndicate operating in our state,” he said.
“Make no mistake about it – police will not tolerate drug cultivation, manufacture or trafficking in Victoria.
“Operation Entity highlights the level of resources we are prepared to put into targeting this type of criminal activity and methods we can use to permanently dismantle these networks.”