Western suburbs properties raided

Five men have been charged after 300 kilograms of a mixture used to make the drug ‘ice’ was seized during raids on several western suburbs properties.

Police said the pseudo-ephedrine could have been used to produce more than 200 kilograms of ice, with a street value of more than $200 million. It was found during raids at properties in Burnside, St Albans, Sunshine, East Keilor and Tottenham on Saturday, January 7.

It’s alleged the pseudo-ephedrine mixture was imported from Vietnam last month hidden among boxes of washing powder.

Police also allege the men were involved in a clandestine laboratory at Werribee, used to produce ice.

The men appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday, charged with a range of offences related to importing a commercial quantity of border controlled pre-cursor, and trafficking a commercial quantity of a drug of dependence.

 They were refused bail and are to appear again at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday, January 13.