Officers from the Southern Metro Division 3 Divisional Response Unit, with assistance from the Caulfield Divisional Response Unit, Drug Task Force and Dog Squad, have arrested four people and seized a large quantity of drugs as part of Operation Empire.
Operation Empire is an investigation into the trafficking and manufacturing of methylamphetamine which has been running for three months.
Police executed four warrants early yesterday morning in Melbourne’s CBD, Cheltenham, Noble Park and Noble Park North.
This includes a warrant executed at an apartment on Lonsdale Street, Melbourne where police located what is alleged to be a clandestine laboratory.
They also seized a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine.
A 44-year-old man was arrested at the property and his vehicle was also searched where police located quantities of methylamphetamine and cocaine in the car.
The man has been charged with manufacturing a large commercial quantity of amphetamines and other drug-related offences.
He has been remanded to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.
A second warrant was executed at house on Kylie Street in Cheltenham where a small quantity of amphetamines was seized.
No one was home at the time and no arrests have been made in relation to this search warrant.
A third warrant was executed at a home on Stuart Street in Noble Park where one man was arrested.
Police also seized a large quantity of what is believed to be 1,4 Butanediol.
The 42-year-old man has been charged with possessing a drug of dependence and has been bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 30 July.
A fourth warrant was executed at a house on Elwick Court in Noble Park North where one man was arrested after police located a small quantity of cocaine and cannabis.
The 31-year-old man was interviewed by police and released pending summons.
Detective Senior Sergeant Dean Grande said Operation Empire focused on driving down drug-related crime and the insidious harm caused by drugs in our community.
“Police have zero tolerance for drug traffickers and will continue to prevent, detect and disrupt people who bring drugs into the community,” D/S/Sgt Grande said.
“We want to reassure everyone that police continue to work tirelessly to disrupt organised drug syndicates and reduce the supply of drugs in Victoria.”
