POLICE will monitor crime rates in Bonbeach and surrounding areas over the next few weeks to gauge the effect of a substantial drugs’ haul.
This comes after nine people were arrested Wednesday – including two men and a woman in a car parked at Oliver’s Hill, Frankston – and others in Seaford and Frankston.
The arrests come after a coordinated four-month police operation targeting the sale and distribution of methyl-amphetamines in the Bonbeach and Frankston areas.
After the hill-top arrests – in which plain clothes detectives in an unmarked courier van slid in beside a parked car with the three allegedly holding a traffickable quantity of ice – they raided a house in Bondi Rd, Bonbeach.
Here, they claim a large quantity of drugs – including ice, ecstasy and cannabis – was seized, along with illegal fireworks, OC spray and a significant quantity of cash. A man, 29, and a woman, 25, were charged with drug offences.
The man has been remanded to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 23 September charged with drug trafficking, possession of methyl-amphetamines, speed, MDMA, cocaine, cannabis, prescription medication, proceeds of crime, possess explosives and possess OC spray. The woman was bailed to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on 4 December charged with possession of methyl-amphetamines.
Four men were then arrested at a property on Nepean Hwy, Seaford. Police allegedly seized a quantity of drugs including ice, speed, cannabis and prescription drugs. A 40-year-old Seaford man, a 32-year-old Frankston man and a 38-year-old Seaford man have been bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 10 December each charged with possessing a drug of dependence. A 45-year-old Seaford man was also arrested and released pending summons.
A warrant was then executed at a property on Hatch St, Pearcedale, where police allegedly seized more ice, a samurai sword and a tomahawk.
“We knew where these people were going to be,” Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Rix, of Caulfield Divisional Response Unit, said.
“They are part of a gang who deal in drugs, substantial quantities of cash, weapons and handle stolen property – you’ve only got to look at the crime rate in Bonbeach.
“We made substantial hauls over the whole day. It was a good outcome.”
The arrests and seizures were “a reminder” that police would continue to take action against those engaging in this type of criminal activity, he said.
“These warrants should send a clear message to those in the Bonbeach and Frankston areas that police will not tolerate these offences and will continue to proactively target those who engage in this type of criminal behaviour.”
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 2 September 2015
