More than a tonne of cannabis is seized in Melbourne: Drugs alleged to be linked to Albanian organised crime syndicate
More than a ton of cannabis seized in Melbourne: drugs allegedly linked to Albanian organized crime syndicate
- Tons of cannabis seized in Melbourne’s northwest
- Allegedly associated with the Albanian crime syndicate
- A man, 47, and a woman, 44, were arrested this week
More than a tonne of cannabis has been seized in northwestern Melbourne, believed to be linked to an Albanian organized crime syndicate.
A man and a woman were arrested Tuesday after officers visited five homes in Deer Park, Rockbank, Greenvale, Taylors Hill and Taylors Lake.
A 47-year-old Albanian man who police said was the leader of the syndicate was arrested, as was a 44-year-old Colombian woman who police said was a “cropsitter.”
More than 260 cannabis plants were seized from the Taylors Lake home, 185 from Deer Park, 200 from Rockbank and 100 from Greenvale.
Footage from one of the raids shows Taskforce VIPER officers carrying large bags of cannabis to a waiting truck.
Footage from one of the raids shows Taskforce VIPER officers carrying large bags of cannabis to a waiting truck (pictured)
Agents also found $200,000 in cash at Taylors Hill’s home. The garage’s concrete floor was drilled to connect a power line to an electrical substation located under the property’s fence.
Up to 180 cannabis plants were removed from a home in Keilor East on Wednesday.
In all, up to a tonne of cannabis with a street value of $5 million was seized during search warrants this week.
The 47-year-old man was due to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court on January 8. He was charged with growing and trafficking large commercial amounts of cannabis and possession of the proceeds of crime.
The 44-year-old woman was released on bail to appear in court on the same day. She was also charged with growing and trafficking a commercial amount of cannabis.
An investigation was launched in June after the police received a tip that suspicious activity was taking place in one of the buildings.
A 47-year-old Albanian man who police said was the leader of the syndicate was arrested, as was a 44-year-old Colombian woman who police said was a “cropsitter.”
A 44-year-old Colombian woman who police said was a “crop-sitter” was also arrested
The Albanian organized crime syndicate is involved in cannabis cultivation and trafficking, police will allege.
Detective Acting Inspector Leigh Howse said tips from the community played a vital role in police investigations.
“If you see or hear suspicious behavior, such as covering or blacking out windows, strong plant odors and unusual vehicle or pedestrian movement, call the police,” he said.
“These so-called grow houses were set up in a sophisticated way and as a result of this operation, a ton of illegal cannabis is now about to be destroyed.
“We will not stop crippling organized crime determined to fill their pockets with illegal substances and ultimately at the expense of the rest of the community.”
The investigation is ongoing with those who have information to contact Crime Stoppers.