A FIVE-month surveillance operation by drug task force detectives has uncovered a cannabis cartel based in Melbourne’s west.
Operation Taxa investigators conducted early morning raids on six properties in Hillside, Melton, Sydenham and a rural property at Strathmerton, north of Melbourne, last Tuesday.
Charges were laid against five men, while drugs and drug production infrastructure along with property and assets were seized.
More than 200 mature cannabis plants were found at a Melton Valley Drive factory and at Strathmerton. Police said hydroponic crops were hidden behind walls inside the Melton factory.
Small quantities of steroids and methylamphetamine were also found during the raids and detectives confiscated three luxury vehicles — a Maserati, a BMW and a Harley Davidson motorcycle — from a house in Austral Drive, Hillside.
Those charged included three Hillside men aged 32, 35 and 45. They appeared at Melbourne Magistrates Court last Wednesday. Two men were remanded in custody until a committal mention on May 22. The third man was also remanded until this date but was bailed on his own undertaking on conditions including that he surrender his passport and report daily to Caroline Springs police station.
A Strathmerton man, 32, charged with possessing, cultivating and trafficking cannabis, faced Shepparton Magistrates Court. He was remanded in custody until the same committal mention in Melbourne on May 22.
A Sydenham man, 77, was charged with possessing, cultivating and trafficking cannabis and bailed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court at a later date.
Detective Senior Sergeant Dave De Francesco described the syndicate as well organised. “This will have an effect on cannabis distribution in the western suburbs.”
Melton detectives arrested a Kurunjang man, 27, last Wednesday following another investigation. Police found cannabis and precursor chemicals at a property in Tulloch Avenue.
