Major pre-dawn police raids targeting a Middle Eastern organised crime syndicate have been held across Melbournes northern and western suburbs this morning.
Police raid a house in Altona North. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: News Corp Australia
TWENTY-SEVEN people have been arrested in major pre-dawn police raids targeting a Middle Eastern organised crime syndicate in Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs.
The raids, executed after investigations by Santiago Taskforce, involved 44 properties in suburbs including Altona North, Campbellfield, Truganina and Sunshine.
Police swarmed on a home in Vanderbilt Drive, Truganina, in Melbourne’s west before dawn, arresting two men.
Det-Sgt Gary Wilson said police were predominantly looking for drugs, but would not say if any were found at the house.
A woman is taken by police after a raid at a property in Altona North. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: News Corp Australia
A woman at the home who gave her name as Loussi Britain said the men arrested were her husband Antonio and her husband’s brother Rabieh Haddara.
She said the trio were due to leave for Lebanon on Monday.
A distressed Ms Britain, who said she used to go by the surname Haddara, told the Herald Sun she did not know why “many, many” police had stormed her house in the early hours of the morning.
“My husband is good, we’re quiet,” she said.
“I don’t know why (this happened).”
She said officers searched her and took her car, phone and iPad in the raid.
The Haddaras are a well-known family in Melbourne who have an intense rivalry with the Chaouks.
A woman wearing a hijab tried to cover her face as she was taken away by police from a home on Third Avenue in Altona North.
The house is home to the Haddaras family.
Santiago Taskforce detectives swooped on the property, which is believed to have two women and three children inside, about 4.30am.
Police have been watching the family, as well as their neighbourhood rival family, the Chaouks, closely since forming the Santiago Taskforce in October 2008.
A white Mercedes four-wheel-drive parked in the driveway was put on a tow truck and taken away by police.
Police search and rescue crews have been brought in to search the roof of the single-storey brick home.
A police drug sniffer dog is also being used to search the property.
Police raid a house in Altona North. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: News Corp Australia
Long-term residents have told the Herald Sun that the once quiet street has not been the same since the family moved in four to five years ago.
“This is the third raid there,” one woman, who has lived in the area more than 30 years, said.
“It makes you feel a little uneasy. You hear about all these crime families in the area and drive-by shootings happening. It’s a little scary.”
Another resident said the man who lived at the house owns a black Mercedes and a motorcycle, which was heard leaving the house and “zooming loudly down the street and all the way to Millers Rd” at 1.40am.
In another raid in Orange Avenue, Williamstown, police reportedly arrested three men and seized a cache of guns.
At least 18 arrests have reportedly been made during raids on 44 properties.
Victoria Police spokeswoman Sen-Constable Melissa Seach said the search warrants were executed after investigations by Santiago Taskforce.
Police have not released details of arrests.
Another resident said the man who lived at the house owns a black Mercedes and a motorcycle, which was heard leaving the house and “zooming loudly down the street and all the way to Millers Rd” at 1.40am.
In another raid in Orange Avenue, Williamstown, police reportedly arrested three men and seized a cache of guns.
A press conference is expected to be held in the next hour.
Santiago Taskforce deals with organised crime families and was formed in October 2008.
More to come ...
samantha.landy@news.com.au
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