Almost 1000 arrests made, $475 million in drugs seized during crime crackdown

Almost 1000 people have been arrested and drugs worth an estimated $475 million have been seized as a part of an nationwide crackdown on organised crime and illicit drugs.

The five-day blitz called Operation Vitreus saw about 1.2 tonnes of drugs found including 814 kilograms of methylamphetamine, 182 kilograms of MDMA and 185 kilograms of cannabis.

The operation resulted in 403 search warrants executed nationwide, 990 drug-related arrests made and 2052 drug-related charges laid.

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Across Victoria the operation saw 149 arrests, 361 drug related charges, 87 search warrants executed and the seizure of 19 firearms, 13 vehicles and about $475,000 cash.

This included the seizure of about 14 kilos of drugs believed to be MDMA, four firearms, ammunition, a large amount of cash, pill presses, drug packaging and equipment. 

Three luxury cars believed to be worth $300,000 and two Rolex watches were also taken by police.

A 27-year-old man from Melbourne's north was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity MDMA and firearms offences.

Police in the state said they also seized varying quantities of what appear to be methylamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, ketamine, MDMA, ecstasy, cannabis and 1,4-Butanediol over the course of the week, with a total combined value of over $5,760,000.

New South Wales Police said across the state there were 332 arrests, 441 charges, 93 search warrants and more than $33 million worth of drugs seized.

Four search warrants were carried out at properties in Granville, Belfield and Bankstown last week.

Police seized 523 cannabis plants and 25 kilos of dried cannabis leaf, estimated to have a street value of approximately $1.5 million, as well as $194,490 in cash. 

Two women and a man were charged with eight serious drug supply and criminal group related offences, while two other men were charged with five offences each. 

They were all refused bail and appeared before Bankstown Local Court last week.

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Queensland Police uncovered six greenhouses containing 2284 cannabis plants and more than 6.9 kilos of dried cannabis at a rural property north of Gympie along with sophisticated hydroponic equipment and drug utensils.

Police estimate the total value of the drugs and items seized is $11.5 million.

No one was on the property at the time of the search.

Overall police in the state charged 442 people on 981 offences and about $13 million of drugs were seized.

There were 94 search warrants resulting in the seizure of 1.2 kilos of meth, 2320 cannabis plants, 11.5 kilos of cannabis, 700 grams of MDMA, six grams of heroin, 77 grams of cocaine and $134,380 in cash.

Police in Western Australia uncovered 15 kilos of meth buried in bushland in Stake Hill, south of Perth.

A 30-year-old man with OMCG links was charged a number of serious drug offences.

A further 12 kilos of meth was also located buried in bushland in Dianella, north of Perth.

Two men in South Australia were charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of meth.

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It is alleged that back in June and July last year the men were involved in the preparation of over 40 kilos of meth in South Australia.

"The men then facilitated transportation of the drugs to Western Australia where they were later seized by local police," police said.

At the time of seizure, the drugs were estimated to be valued at $7 million if sold by the kilo in South Australia and $30 million dollars if sold at street level.

Across South Australia police arrested 39 people on 141 drug related offences, ranging from illicit drug manufacture and cultivation to the trafficking of large commercial quantities of controlled drugs.

Police also seized $2 million of illicit drugs from metropolitan and regional communities.

As a part of the operation, Tasmanian police seized about two kilos of cannabis from a property on the state's west coast.

A 60-year-old woman will face court for possessing, cultivating and using a controlled plant.

There were more than 200 cars and 800 passengers screened in the state as well as thousands of packages at Launceston and Hobart airports.

Operation Vitreus was a joint initiative between Australian Federal Police, Border Force and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.