Croydon’s Divisional Response Unit joined Major Drug Squad detectives and the VIPER Taskforce to arrest two men as part of their investigation into the cultivation of large commercial quantities of cannabis by a Vietnamese organised crime syndicate.
Seven warrants were executed at an industrial premises in Morwell, three residential addresses in Springvale, a residential address in Mount Waverley, a storage facility in Hallam and a semi-rural property in Silvan.
Over the course of the investigation over 8500 cannabis plants have been seized, which would have a street value of over $30M.
A 40-year-old Springvale man, who police will allege was the leader of the syndicate, was charged with cultivating and trafficking a large commercial quantity of cannabis.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 24 April.
A 53-year-old Noble Park man is expected to be charged on summons in relation to the offence of cultivate large commercial quantity of cannabis.
Over 200 plants, a large commercial quantity, were located at the Silvan address.
At least 400 plants being hydroponically cultivated were seized from the Morwell property.
Detectives also located a drying/packing location in Springvale which also had an electrical bypass.
No items were seized from the Mount Waverley address, but evidence of prior cannabis cultivation was located as well as an electrical bypass.
A transport truck was also seized which police will allege was used to transport property between crop locations.
Investigators executed a warrant at a storage facility in Hallam which was used to store hydroponic equipment.
