Police investigations are ramping up into Operation Abalone as officers uncovered methamphetamine with a potential street value of $50,000 and seized $18,000 in cash.
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Detective Acting Sergeant Elissa Smith, of the Warrnambool police divisional response unit, said officers executed a search warrant at an east Warrnambool address at 10.30am Tuesday linked to an alleged drug trafficking syndicate.
Officers seized 20 grams of ice and $18,000 in cash, which was located in a garage and bedroom at the address. The detective said a Warrnambool man would be interviewed in relation to the ice and proceeds of crime - the cash.
In September last year police started Operation Abalone to focus on a suspected drug trafficking operation by a 27-year-old Warrnambool man. Police claimed in Warrnambool court last Friday he was the No. 1 dealer in south-west Victoria, buying ice in Geelong and Melbourne and cannabis in south-east South Australia.
Police had the Victoria Supreme Court approve a tap on the man's phone during March and he was arrested about midnight on Wednesday last week which has led to about a dozen raids across Warrnambool and Hamilton.
So far seven men and two women, all aged between 19 and 30, have been arrested in relation to the drug ring and charged with a range of offences, including conspiracy to traffic drugs and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Two vehicles, including a Holden Maloo ute, and two motorbikes have also been seized by police.
As part of the operation police raided an industrial estate property in west Warrnambool late last Friday night.
At the premises they found a motorbike and helmet, a large range of power tools and a bag containing 73g of a white crystal substance, which is yet to be analysed.
If the substance is ice it would have a street value of about $35,000.
"We believe the power tools have been stolen. Inquiries are continuing into the ownership of that property and who had access," Detective Acting Sergeant Smith said.
"We are still involved in the initial phase of this investigation and are extremely busy collecting evidence," she said.
On Monday, another 27-year-old west Warrnambool man became the ninth person to be arrested as part of Operation Abalone.
"The man was arrested and interviewed in relation to conspiracy to traffic drugs. He was charged with possession of drugs," Detective Acting Sergeant Smith said.
The man pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Tuesday and was placed on an 18-month correction order with the condition he do 75 hours of unpaid work and drug treatment.
Acting Sergeant Smith said inquiries were still ongoing in relation to the conspiracy to traffic drugs.
Anyone with information about drugs or associated crime is requested to contact the Warrnambool police station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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