EIGHT people have been arrested after police uncovered one of Victoria’s largest clandestine laboratories in Melbourne’s West.
Victoria Police and Australian Federal Police executed warrants at two properties in Sunshine West on Saturday and discovered what is believed to be the biggest clandestine drug laboratory located in Victoria.
Seven men have been arrested and charged with manufacturing and trafficking large commercial quantities of drugs.
The men charged range in age from 26 to 44 and include a Vietnamese national, two Canadians, one man from New South Wales and three men from South Australia.
A 31-year-old Derrimut man has also been arrested and is currently assisting investigators with their enquiries.
The arrests follow a Joint Organised Crime Taskforce investigation into the manufacture and interstate trafficking of commercial quantities of methylamphetamine.
The taskforce is made up of members from Victoria Police, Australian Crime Commission and Australian Federal Police.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Fontana said the result highlighted the importance of working collaboratively to target organised crime.
“We know that drugs are an issue that all law enforcement agencies are dealing with across Australia and it is vital that we continue to work together to target those who are involved in the manufacture and distribution of these substances,” Mr Fontana said.
“Police will continue to target those who trade in illicit drugs and the Victorian community should be aware that we will not tolerate this type of activity.”
All men charged faced an out-of-sessions court hearing and appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday.
