Police arrested 10 people from Shepparton, Kialla and Tatura between October 22 and December 1 following a protracted undercover operation by Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit.
Five of those arrested have been charged with either trafficking a large commercial quantity of methamphetamines or trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamines, which comes with a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment for both charges.
A further four have been charged with trafficking methamphetamines, which comes with a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment.
Police said as part of the investigation, detectives executed eight search warrants, seizing 550 grams of methamphetamines worth approximately $110,000, $60,000 in cash, which investigators will allege is proceeds of drug trafficking, six allegedly stolen vehicles and two firearms.
Those arrested included a Shepparton man, 48, who has been charged with 370 separate offences, including trafficking a large commercial quantity of methamphetamines.
Police allege this man was responsible for trafficking at least 1.12kg of methamphetamines during the duration of the operation.
He has been remanded to face Shepparton Magistrates’ Court next year.
A Shepparton woman, 32, has been charged with 181 separate offences, including trafficking a large commercial quantity of methamphetamines.
Investigators will allege this woman trafficked at least 905g of methamphetamines and 4.2 litres of GHB during the duration of the operation.
A Shepparton man, 29, has been charged with 65 separate offences, including trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamines.
A Shepparton man, 32, has been charged with 21 separate offences, including trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamines.
A Kialla man, 32, has been charged with 12 separate offences, including trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamine.
A Seymour man, 33, has been charged with 67 offences, including trafficking methamphetamine.
A Kialla man, 49, has been charged with seven offences, including trafficking methamphetamines.
A Tatura man, 24, has been charged with seven offences, including trafficking methamphetamines.
A Shepparton man, 44, has been charged with five offences, including trafficking methamphetamines and being a prohibited person possessing an imitation firearm.
A Kialla man, 37, was charged with two offences, including drug possession.
All of the accused will appear in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court at a later date.
Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit’s Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Shortis said the arrests had caused a huge dent in the supply of methamphetamines across the Goulburn Valley.
“My message to anyone involved in drug trafficking is clear: it’s only a matter of time until your number comes up and police are coming through your front door unannounced,” he said.
“Police are aware of the concerns generated by insidious substances such as methamphetamines in our local community.”
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