Police have arrested four people across the Warrnambool region earlier today as part of a significant investigation into methylamphetamine trafficking across south western Victoria.
Detectives from Western Region Crime Squad, Warrnambool CIU and Hamilton CIU executed eight search warrants in Warrnambool, early this morning, seizing methylamphetamine, GHB, cash, prohibited weapons, ammunition, along with property suspected of being the proceeds.
Four people were arrested, including two charged with trafficking methylamphetamine, which comes with a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.
Those arrested today include:
A 30-year-old man from Warrnambool who has been charged with trafficking methylamphetamine and possessing proceeds of crime. He has been remanded to appear at Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court on 7 April 2022.
A 50-year-old woman from Warrnambool who has been charged with trafficking methylamphetamine and possessing proceeds of crime. She has been remanded to appear at Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court on 7 April 2022.
A 26-year-old man from Warrnambool who has been served with a Firearm Prohibition Order and charged with possessing methylamphetamine. He has been bailed to appear at Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court on 18 July 2022.
A 19-year-old woman from Warrnambool was interviewed with possessing methylamphetamine where she was released with further enquires to be made.
A 34-year-old woman from Warrnambool will also be spoken to at a later date.
The arrests marked the second phase of a long running investigation into the trafficking of methylamphetamine across Warrnambool, Geelong, with a number of people already arrested and charged with significant offences last week.
Last Wednesday, police and detectives executed 10 search warrants across Grovedale, Highton, Point Cook, Werribee, and Warrnambool, seizing a range of items including 700 grams of methylamphetamine worth around $500,000, $196,350 in cash, and weapons including a handgun, pistol, two silencers, shotgun, and an extendable baton.
Three luxury vehicles worth around $390,000, a Kenworth truck and four motorbikes were also seized, with police alleging they are proceeds of crime.
Six people were arrested following the raids, including four who were charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine – a 31-year-old Warrnambool man, 32-year-old Highton man, 30-year-old Point Cook man, and 34-year-old Point Cook man. All four were remanded to face court at a later date.
The operation was led by detectives from Western Region Crime Squad, with support from crime investigation units based in Wyndham, Geelong, Hamilton and Warrnambool; divisional response units from Geelong, Warrnambool and Westgate; family violence investigation units from Warrnambool and Westgate; Geelong Tasking and Crime Investigation Taskforce (TACIT); Warrnambool Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT); and the K9 Unit.
Quotes attributed to Detective Sergeant Jade Gercovich – Western Region Crime Squad:
“Today’s arrests marked the second phase of a long running investigation aimed at disrupting and dismantling a syndicate allegedly responsible for trafficking methylamphetamine across south western Victoria.”
“We will continue to mercilessly target those trafficking horrific substances such as methylamphetamine within our community.
“Every day police see firsthand the damage caused by illicit drugs in our community – the drug fuelled driver who has killed an innocent motorist, the thief who has stolen a car or broken into a home to feed their addiction, and the household ravaged by family violence linked to drug abuse.
“It’s for these reasons we will never stop targeting those looking to fill their pockets by trading on the misery and addiction of others.
“If you think you will get away with it, think again. We have zero tolerance for drug traffickers and the associated penalties, including more than a decade in a prison cell, are irreversibly life changing.
