Police arrested a man in Sunbury on Wednesday as part of an investigation into an Albanian organised crime syndicate allegedly involved in the cultivation and trafficking of cannabis.
A 42 year old Essendon man, who is also an Italian national, was arrested at a property on Reservoir Road, Sunbury on Tuesday afternoon with assistance from the Air Wing.
A warrant was subsequently executed at the address, with police seizing a quantity of cannabis, a small quantity of cash and cannabis cultivation equipment, including transformers and power base stations.
The man was later charged with possessing cannabis and possessing proceeds of crime. He was bailed to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in January.
This activity follows the arrest of two people last week after a series of warrants were executed on August 22, at properties in Taylors Hill, Greenvale, Taylors Lakes, Deer Park and Rockbank.
A 47-year-old Taylors Hill man, who is also an Albanian national, was charged with cultivating and trafficking a large commercial quantity of cannabis and possessing the proceeds of crime.
A 44-year-old Deer Park woman, who is also a Colombian national, was charged with cultivate and trafficking a commercial quantity of cannabis.
Both will reappear in court in January.
Police seized approximately $200,000 cash from the Taylors Hill address, and more than 260 cannabis plants from the Taylors Lakes property.
They also seized more than 185 cannabis plants from the Deer Park address and almost 200 plants from the Rockbank property and 100 plants from Greenvale.
The concrete floor of a garage at the Taylors Hill address had been drilled through, allowing for an electricity cable to be connected to an electricity substation under the property’s fence.
A further property in Keilor East was raided on August 23 with an additional 180 cannabis plants seized.
The investigation commenced in June of this year when police received a tip off regarding suspicious behaviour at one of the addresses.
In total, in excess of a tonne of cannabis with a street value of approximately $5 million has been seized during this operation.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
