Detectives from the Clandestine Laboratory squad have this morning charged two men and seized a significant quantity of drugs and related paraphernalia following a series of warrants across Melbourne’s south on Wednesday.
With the assistance of VIPER Taskforce, ICARUS and the Joint Organised Taskforce, four warrants were executed at residential and commercial properties in Braeside, Narre Warren South, Carrum Downs and Cranbourne.
A 35-year-old Cranbourne man and a 35-year-old Carrum Downs man have both been charged with traffick large commercial quantity methylamphetamine and other offences.
The duo was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 9 June.
Police located an industrial sized clandestine laboratory at the Braeside property, as well as a second large scale clandestine laboratory and what appears to be packaged cocaine at the Narre Warren South address.
Further laboratory equipment was located in a shed at a residential property in Carrum Downs, as well as a quantity of what appears to be magic mushrooms.
Anyone with information about illicit drug activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Anthony Vella, Clandestine Laboratory Squad:
‘These arrests are an excellent outcome for community safety – these are significant seizures from what is one of the largest and most complex clandestine laboratories we have seen in Victoria.
‘Drugs are a significant driver of crime and community harm across the state and are a strong focus for Victoria Police.
‘These arrests should serve as a sobering reminder to those engaged in the manufacture of illicit substances – you will be targeted and arrested.
‘Illicit drug labs pose significant health and safety risks to the community and many of the chemicals involved in drug manufacture are highly volatile, explosive or carcinogenic in nature.
‘Residual contamination resulting from the manufacture of these illicit substances presents a serious risk to human and environmental health.’
