Police nab 13 in drug operation

Thirteen people were last week charged following a series of raids across Brimbank and north-west Melbourne after a police investigation into a “sophisticated” ice ring.

The raids were carried out by detectives from the Drug Task Force and other Crime Command units with the assistance of the Special Operations Group in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The operation forms part of Victoria Police’s Operation Ezekiel, a 12-month investigation into the distribution and trafficking of methamphetamines, with alleged links to organised crime.

Police allegedly seized a range of drugs including ice, cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy and steroids during the raids.

Firearms, ammunition, cash, a stolen motorcycle and other stolen property such as jewellery was also allegedly uncovered.

A 36-year-old Sydenham man was charged with a range of offences including possessing a drug of dependence, possessing ammunition, and handling stolen goods and was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in October.

A 58-year-old man, also from Sydenham was charged with trafficking commercial quantities of a drug of dependence, two charges of prohibited possession of a firearm, and possessing proceeds of crime. His remand application is pending.

In Keilor Downs, a 57-year-old man was charged with possessing a drug of dependence and was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on November 10, while
a 52-year-old man was charged with
trafficking a commercial quantity of drug of dependence and has a remand application pending.

In Taylors Hill a 29-year-old man also has a remand application pending after he was charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of MDMA, trafficking cannabis, possessing a handgun, possessing a long arm gun and possessing the proceeds of crime.

A 37-year-old Albanvale woman will face the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on October 10 after she was charged with trafficking a drug of dependence.