Vic heroin ring kept cash in toys: police

Police believe they have smashed a high-level heroin importation ring after drug raids across Melbourne.

Police tape

(AAP Image/Paul Miller)

A high-level Melbourne heroin syndicate allegedly kept cash hidden in children's toys as it pulled in $250,000 a week.

The drug ring was smashed as police raided nine properties on Thursday, netting $500,000 in cash and more than that in heroin.

Police arrested 14 people, comprising 10 women and four men, with many facing serious commercial drug trafficking charges.

In a separate drug operation police also raided homes in Melbourne's north-western suburbs and later charged eight people with a variety of offences, including trafficking.

Superintendent Ross Guenther said the eight-month investigation had successfully busted the drug importation ring.

"We believe we have destroyed a very significant organised crime group responsible for the manufacture and distribution of heroin right across this state," Supt Guenther told reporters.

Police seized cash, drugs, prestige cars, and women's shoes worth $9000, from properties in suburbs including Braybrook, Richmond, Mentone and Thornbury.

"Some of the monies we've located were found within children's toys," Supt Guenther said.

Supt Guenther said police believed the ring imported high-grade heroin, broke it down to multiply it, and then sold it on to street dealers.

"They're probably the ones we often talk about trying to get to those people to really interrupt supply," he said.

Supt Guenther said the ring was turning over about $250,000 worth of heroin each week.

He said penalties for serious drug trafficking charges could range from 10 to 20 years in jail.

Another set of raids was conducted in Melbourne's north-western suburbs on Thursday morning as part of a separate drugs investigation.

Eight people were charged on Thursday night after raids at homes in Keilor East, Niddrie, Coburg, Brunswick, Craigieburn and Broadmeadows.

Police say they seized a quantity of drugs, cash and prohibited weapons in those raids.

A 39-year-old Niddrie man was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of an amphetamine-type stimulant, and remanded in custody.

A 19-year-old Essendon man was also charged with drug trafficking and bailed to appear in court in December, while a second 19-year-old man faces weapon and drug possession charges.

Five others were charged with a variety of drug possession or outstanding warrant offences.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Craig Spencer said police take drug trafficking seriously.

"It's a community issue and a health issue and it's also a financial burden on the community," he told reporters in Keilor East.

"This type of offending is not acceptable and we'll continue to try and stem the flow of drug trafficking and ice being trafficked in the community."


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