Police launch drug raids across Melbourne's south-east - The Age

Police seized drugs, money and a car from a property on Loxton Street, Kew. Photo: Paul Jeffers

Police executed over 20 search warrants early on Thursday morning in a major operation targeting drug distribution in Victoria.

Operation Rhodonite began just after midnight when homes were raided in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.

Police believe the operation has cracked a major drug network supplying amphetamine-like stimulants such as methylamphetamine, ice and ecstasy. The drugs have a street value worth millions, police believe.

Acting Superintendent Bruce Wemyss said the raids followed months of hard work by police.

“These types of illicit drugs are a major driver of crime, especially volume property crime, in Victoria,” he said.

“We also know they are a major factor in the level of violence in acts such as assaults, aggravated burglaries and robberies we see in the community.

“It is an extremely pleasing result to know that we have again been able to prevent these drugs invading our community.

“We’re working together with law enforcement around Australia to ensure Victoria’s streets are kept safe from these types of drugs.”

The raids involved police from the southern metropolitan divisional response unit, special operations group, critical incident response team, and drug taskforce and local police.

Australian Federal Police and Customs were also involved.