"Joint Australasian operation dismantles international drug syndicate"

The Joint Organised Crime Task Force (JOCTF), leading a multi-agency team, has smashed a multi-million dollar international organised crime network following raids across Melbourne this morning.

The operation, targeting a sophisticated heroin drug trafficking syndicate, culminated this morning with the execution of fifteen warrants at residential and business properties in Wollert, Roxburgh Park, Epping (x2), Bundoora, Essendon, Docklands, Campbellfield, Hadfield, Glenroy, Fitzroy, Meadow Heights, Narre Warren North, Dandenong and Brunswick.

A large amount of powder, believed to be heroin, has been located and a number of vehicles have also been seized.

Operation Grote began when intelligence identified a longstanding international organised crime syndicate was targeting Australia and New Zealand with heroin.

Simultaneous warrants have also been executed in New Zealand today.

Those arrested in Australia are listed below; they are currently assisting police with their enquiries:

• A 49-year-old man from Wollert

• A 40-year-old man from Roxburgh Park

• A 30-year-old man from Docklands

• A 23-year-old man from Essendon

• A 20-year-old from Meadow Heights

In New Zealand, a 53 year-old man from Blockhouse Bay, has been arrested for drug related offences and is currently being questioned by police.

Victoria Police Crime Command Assistant Commissioner Stephen Fontana said the arrest is a milestone in this operation which has been running since August this year.

“Not only have we shut down a major international drug distribution and trafficking syndicate we will have significantly affected, we believe, the accessibility of heroin on the street in Melbourne and the subsequent crime which results from it,” Mr Fontana said.

“The outcome today highlights the partnership between state and federal police and their commitment to combat organised crime.

The Organised and Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand have been working closely with the JOCTF over the past five months to bring this investigation to a conclusion.

New Zealand Police Assistant Commissioner Malcolm Burgess said it has been fantastic to see a number of law enforcement agencies work so closely together on a major international syndicate.

“The partnership between all the agencies involved and the co-operation and intelligence shared has led to these significant arrests in both countries and the seizure of large quantities of drugs,” Mr Burgess said.

The operation drew on a significant number of police resources including resources from the JOCTF, Crime Command, North West Metro Region, Australian Customs and Border Protection, Critical Incident Response Team, Victoria Police Dog Squad.

The Victoria Police Special Operations Group also worked with the AFP Special Response Group to safely execute these warrants.

It is expected that those arrested will face charges relating to trafficking a large commercial quantity of heroin and will front court later today.

ENDS

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