POLICE believe they have have smashed one of Victoria’s largest drug cultivation syndicates, discovering cannabis worth more than $29 million after a series of raids in the north-west.
More than 250 police raided properties across Brimbank, Melton, Wyndham and Hume areas about 7.30am as part of a seven-month investigation that unveiled an alleged organised crime syndicate with links to Vietnam.
Police say it is one of the most significant hauls of cannabis in their history.
Eleven people have been arrested and are being interviewed by police.
Investigators this morning seized more than 5200 plants, with an estimated street value more than $20 million, but are still trying to determine the scale of the crop. Earlier raids uncovered about $9 million worth of the drug
Operation Permute investigators executed eight warrants and seized more than 2000 cannabis plants and 53 kilograms of dried cannabis in earlier raids.
Divisional Acting Superintendent Stephen Mutton said police would continue to target people involved in the cultivation and distribution of illicit drugs.
“As a result of this operation we have been able to disrupt the activities of a significant and sophisticated organised crime syndicate operating in our state,” he said.
“Operation Permute highlights the commitment Victoria Police has to dismantle organised crime and reduce the impact of drugs in our community.”
The investigation was led by the Fawkner Divisional Response Unit and supported by the Criminal Proceeds Squad, Crime Department and Dog Squad, along with local uniform members and detectives.
Australian Federal Police, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, the Australian Taxation Office, and various electricity companies also assisted police with the operation.
