Drugs, weapons, cash seized in Operation Vitreus warrants
ACT Policing has seized close to $120,000 worth of illicit drugs, as well weapons and cash, following a series of search warrants across the ACT last week.
The activity was part of Operation Vitreus, a national week of action by all state and territory police forces overtly targeting the sale and distribution of illicit drugs in highly visible activities across Australia.
Between 11-15 September, ACT Policing executed 13 search warrants, utilising teams from General Duties, Criminal Investigations, Proactive Intervention and Diversion Team, Territory Targeting Team, National Canine, Forensics, Surveillance, Specialist Operations, and Intelligence.
As a result of these activities, approximately $120,000 worth of illicit drugs were seized, including methylamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, and GBL. Police also seized prohibited firearms, prohibited weapons, cash, large quantities of steroids, stolen property, a ballistics vest, and two pill presses.
Two arrests were also made, with a 28-year-old man and a 35-year-old man – who are both suspected of being involved with the Finks Outlaw Motorcycle Gang – arrested on Monday, 11 September at a residence in Gungahlin, with further arrests expected.
Intelligence was also gathered in relation to multiple drug trafficking networks, progressing several ongoing investigations.
Detective Inspector Mark Steel from ACT Policing’s Criminal Investigations – Organised Crime unit said the operation reinforced ACT Policing’s commitment to target organised crime and criminal gangs.
“Drug trafficking is always a focus for police, and we will continue to work with our local and national law enforcement partners through operations like Vitreus to target the manufacture, trafficking, and supply of illicit drugs,” Detective Inspector Steel said.
“ACT Policing is committed to targeting those who seek to profit from inflicting these dangerous substances on the community, such as organised crime groups and criminal gangs.
“Illicit substances can have a devastating effect on members of our community, and can be linked to violent offences such as assaults and other serious crimes.
“I would call on anyone with information about the manufacture and sale of illicit drugs in the community to report that activity to Crime Stoppers - the more reports we receive, the better an intelligence picture we can create of these offenders.”
Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or on the Crime Stoppers ACT website with any information, which can be provided anonymously.
For journalists: Broadcast quality video of this incident can be downloaded from Hightail. (This link will expire in seven days.)
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