Police have made 210 arrests in a three-month-long drug detection operation that encompassed Dandenong, Noble Park and Springvale CBDs.
Among those arrested are alleged drug dealers who police will claim were trafficking substances, including heroin and methylamphetamine.
One arrest of note includes a 54-year-old man who was arrested 11 times during the operation, who was charged with possessing methylamphetamine, failing to answer bail, and eight counts of contravening bail conditions; he was remanded in custody.
Other arrests include a 22-year-old man who was allegedly found with heroin in Springvale on 2 April, and a 39-year-old man who was arrested in Dandenong and charged with trafficking methamphetamine on 9 May.
Another instance was a 21-year-old woman who was spoken to by police in Noble Park, before they uncovered quantities of methylamphetamine, GHB and cannabis as well as a knife in her pocket/handbag.
She was charged with possessing a drug of dependence and possessing a controlled weapon.
Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Policing Unity sergeant, James Frost, said that “in Springvale alone in the past 12 months, we have seen double the amount of drug trafficking offences detected compared to the previous year”.
“That is due to the tireless work of our members who are targeting those who choose to prey on vulnerable members of the community with a drug addiction.
“The number of alleged drug offenders whom we came into contact declined towards the end of this operation, purely because they were aware of our ongoing presence in the area,” he said.
There were a total of 114 penalty infringement notices and 45 cautions issued to people for possessing small quantities of drugs, as well as contravening their bail conditions.
Other notable arrests included a 34-year-old man from Caulfield who was arrested in Springvale on 23 May, for the alleged possession of cocaine.
On 17 June, police arrested a 44-year-old man over the alleged possession of heroin in Springvale.
All of these arrests mentioned, excluding the man arrested 11 times and the man from Caulfield, were all charged and bailed; all arrested will face the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court at a later date.
“It was enough to deter a lot of people from making the wrong decision twice,” Sergeant Frost said.
“We will continue to be relentless in our efforts to reduce harm in our community that is caused directly and indirectly by illicit drugs.”
During the operation, police also provided referrals to local outreach services to support those experiencing homelessness, mental health or drug-related issues.
While the focus of the operation centred around drug offending, police also made several arrests relating to other crimes, including car theft, burglary, theft, assault, possession of prohibited weapons, driving whilst suspended, criminal damage and handling stolen goods.
