UPDATE
A man wanted in relation to a drug bust that went awry in St Albans this morning has handed himself into police.
The 33-year-old was arrested without incident at a police station in the city about 3.40pm.
He is the eighth person police have arrested following raids across Melbourne’s west and in the CBD as part of Operation Seadragon.
The operation began at 5.30am today and involved warrants at houses in St Albans, Cairnlea, Sunshine, Maribyrnong and Melbourne.
A police spokeswoman said the targeted operation honed in on an alleged international drug syndicate.
The arrest of the St Albans man follows the arrests of seven people earlier today. They include:
– A 39-year-old Maribyrnong man
– A 27-year-old Maribyrnong woman
– A 26-year-old Melbourne man
– A 28-year-old Italian national
– A 44-year-old Cairnlea man
– A 56-year-old Cairnlea man
– A 33-year-old St Albans man
All are being interviewed by police.
No charges have been laid.
EARLIER
Police have released an image of a man wanted in relation to a drug bust that went awry in St Albans this morning.
A headshot of St Albans man Nghi Le, 33, has been circulated in the hope someone will know of his whereabouts.
Officers from the clandestine drug squad raided a house in Levenia Street, St Albans, about 6am.
When officers attempted to enter the property, shots were fired at police and police officers returned fire. No one was injured during the shoot off.
Police cordoned off the street as well as surrounding roads as a safety precaution and attempted to coax the occupants outside of the house for almost five hours, but to no avail.
Officers broke into the house about midday but the occupants had escape. A clandestine drug laboratory and precursor chemicals believed to be for drug manufacture were found inside the house, a police spokeswoman said.
The raid was part of a wider operation that unfolded across Melbourne’s west this morning targeting an alleged international drug syndicate.
Operation Seadragon saw police carry out raids in Sunshine, Cairnlea, Maribyrnong and two properties in the city about 5.30am.
SOG enter another property nearby. Right opposite a primary school @9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/e3VD3hGdax
— Neary Ty (@NearyTy_9) February 27, 2017
Eight people have been arrested and are in police custody.
Police believe Mr Le is armed and people who see him have been cautioned not to approach him.
He is described as being Asian in appearance, about 170 centimetres tall with short black hair, brown eyes and a thin build.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is also urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or triple zero (000).
9am
Multiple shots were fired on police executing a drug warrant at a house in Levenia Street, St Albans this morning.
A five-hour siege ensued until police stormed the house about 11am.
A police spokeswoman said a search was conducted and no one was found inside the house.
“Police have located a number of precursor chemicals believed to be for drug manufacture in the premises and are currently rendering the area safe,” she said.
Police move into siege house. We've also seen a dog enter the property @9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/CWVOF7dBeO
— Neary Ty (@NearyTy_9) February 26, 2017
No person was injured during the incident and the investigation continues.
Earlier this morning police cordoned off surrounding streets and began negotiating with the occupants to exit the house with their arms raised above their heads.
UPDATE: Police are in the third hour of negotiation with people inside the St. Albans home. #9News pic.twitter.com/D31djpdIMk
— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) February 26, 2017
Levenia Street resident Anne Nguyen said she woke up to “loud bangs”.
“Then a bunch of people screaming, then silence, then cop sirens,” Ms Nguyen said.
She said she went to her front door and was told by police to go back inside and to keep her doors closed.
“Cops are telling the occupants to exit via the front door with their hands up.
“Come out with your hands up, exit via the front door, follow police instructions, do it NOW!
“[But] they are not listening at all. It’s been a long time, I don’t think this will be over any time soon,” she wrote.
University Park primary school principal Andrea Federico said parents were notified at 7.30am not to bring their children to school.
Only two of the school’s 260 pupils arrived without parents and they were looked after by teachers.
Ms Federico said staff were safe and “calm” and the school was in constant communication with Victoria Police.
