Police raid 19 properties in drug operation

Police have raided 19 properties in Melbourne’s west, allegedly seizing 1530 cannabis plants during a seven-week operation which ended Thursday.

The Altona North Divisional Response Unit commenced Operation Snagging on August 23, targeting cannabis cultivation and trafficking.

Search warrants were executed at properties in Altona North, Braybrook, Newport, Hoppers Crossing, Point Cook, Seabrook, Tarneit, Werribee and Wyndham Vale.

A 50-year-old Seabrook woman arrested at her home on Wednesday was the last of eight people charged. She was charged with theft in relation to an electrical bypass.

Police make an arrest during Operation Snagging. Photo: Victoria Police
Police make an arrest during Operation Snagging. Photo: Victoria Police

The first arrests were made at a Newport address on August 23.

Two Sunshine North men, 33 and 43, were charged in relation to 21 cannabis plants and an electrical bypass.

On August 31, a 51-year-old Seabrook man and 44-year-old St Albans man were arrested at Wyndham Vale after police allegedly discovered 223 cannabis plants and an electrical bypass.

The same day, a 43-year-old Werribee man was arrested in Werribee after police allegedly discovered 40 cannabis plants and a quantity of MDMA and amphetamines.

A 33-year-old Altona North man was charged after police raided his home on September 11 and allegedly found 20 cannabis plants, a shotgun and ammunition.

Also charged was 67-year-old Werribee man after police allegedly found dried cannabis and an electrical bypass at his home.