Clyde man charged with trafficking

By Sarah Schwager
A CLYDE man has been charged with drug trafficking after raids around Melbourne.
Twelve simultaneous searches were made around Melbourne on Friday 13 April, severely damaging part of the drug trade.
Operation Pecks involved about 70 detectives from Moonee Valley, the crime department, Narre Warren Regional Response Unit (RRU), Fawkner RRU, Altona North RRU, Melbourne RRU, and the dog squad.
The covert operation uncovered large quantities of cocaine, amphetamines, ecstasy, steroids, stolen property and firearms, as well as about $185,000 in cash.
A Porsche coupe, a BMW four-wheel-drive and other vehicles were also seized.
As part of the operation, simultaneous searches were conducted in Moonee Ponds, East Keilor, Brunswick, Southbank, Docklands, Altona Meadows, St Albans, Sunshine, Taylors Hill, Oakleigh and a rural property in Clyde.
As a result a 38-year-old Clyde man was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of drugs of dependence and was remanded in custody.
Police believe the primary target operated from a personal training studio in Moonee Ponds. Investigators will allege the training studio was a front for the distribution of drugs.
Trial dates are yet to be set.
Detective Sergeant Mick Flanagan, from Moonee Valley CIU, said that while investigators were happy with the results so far, their investigation continued.
“We have dismantled two active and long-running drug syndicates,” he said.
“One operated predominantly in the north-west suburbs and the second in the south-east suburbs.
“The syndicates trafficked in commercial levels and distributed drugs to lower level dealers.
“This operation will lead to a vacuum in the supplies of ecstasy, cocaine, amphetamines and steroids in these areas.”