ABOUT $7 million worth of cannabis plants were seized from properties in Brimbank by police last week.
The drug raids – part of Operation Permute – were aimed at cracking down on an alleged organised crime syndicate with links to Vietnam.
More than 250 police executed warrants at 29 properties in Brimbank, Melton, Wyndham and Hume, discovering cannabis worth more than $29 million.
Close to 2000 cannabis plants were found in Brimbank and 200 plants were found at a property in Caroline Springs.
Twelve men and two women from St Albans, Delahey, Caroline Springs and Derrimut were charged with a range of drug offences, including trafficking a large commercial quantity of cannabis and cultivating a large commercial quantity of cannabis.
They appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Keilor Downs’ Senior Sergeant Grant Kelly said the number of warrants executed and plants found showed the cultivation and distribution of illicit drugs was an ongoing problem.
“It was a very successful operation and any arrests related to it is positive. But it is an ongoing problem and I urge anyone who has suspicions about their neighbours to contact Crime Stoppers.”
Senior Sergeant Kelly said it was difficult to know if there were more houses cultivating cannabis in Brimbank.
The investigation was led by the Fawkner divisional response unit and supported by the criminal proceeds squad, crime department and dog squad, along with uniform members and detectives.
Anyone with information is urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800333000.
