This morning, detectives from a Southern Metro Divisional Response Unit arrested fourteen people as part of a significant investigation into drug trafficking in Melbourne’s inner south east.
Operation Brandish is an ongoing investigation into the trafficking of methylamphetamine and cocaine which has been running for almost 12 months.
This morning police executed warrants across 13 locations in Melbourne’s inner south east including South Melbourne, Brighton East, Ormond, Elwood and St Kilda.
Police seized a large commercial quantity of methylamphetamine and cocaine, significant quantities of GHB and cannabis, precursor chemicals for the manufacture of drugs, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and a loaded handgun.
Investigators have arrested fourteen people who are currently being interviewed.
• A 28-year-old Hoppers Crossing man
• A 38-year-old St Kilda man
• A 34-year-old Safety Beach woman
• A 22-year-old St Kilda woman
• A 44-year-old Ormond man
• A 29-year-old Glenroy man
• A 37-year-old Elwood man
• A 24-year-old St Kilda man
• A 39-year-old Brighton East man
• A 34-year-old Brighton East man
• A 44-year-old St Kilda man
• A 40-year-old Werribee man
• A 33-year-old Melbourne man
• A 26-year-old Clifton Hill woman
Superintendent Sharon McKinnon said police in the Southern Metro Region are committed to investigating and arresting those involved in organised crime and drug trafficking.
“Operation Brandish has been a complex 12-month investigation and those involved have done some incredible work to dismantle this syndicate,” Supt McKinnon said.
“Drugs offences are a key focus for Victoria Police right across the organisation and we have zero tolerance for those bringing harm to our community by trafficking drugs of any type.
“Organised criminals work against everything that is good about our community and are profiting through the exploitation of people who are vulnerable to drug taking and drug addiction.
“We want to reassure the community that Victoria Police will continue to work tirelessly to detect and disrupt this kind of serious offending in our community.
“The work doesn’t stop with these arrests and we will look to chase up every avenue of enquiry possible as a result of this investigation.”
The Southern Metro Divisional Response Unit were supported by a number of other units in the execution of these arrests, including the Special Operations Group, Southern Metro Crime Team, general duties police, detectives from a number of crime investigation units, Dog Squad and Clan Labs.
