A KERANG man is among six Victorians who have been charged after a five-month investigation into an alleged Malaysian drug manufacturing syndicate.
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Clandestine Laboratory Squad detectives seized drugs and cash in a series of warrants across Victoria and Tasmania this week.
Police seized three tonnes of chemicals believed to be pre-cursor chemicals for the manufacture of drugs.
Seven luxury cars were also seized.
A 41-year-old Kerang man was arrested and charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence.
Two men from Balwyn, aged 36 and 32, a 35-year-old Point Cook man, and a 32-year-old Bannerton were charged with the same offence.
A 28-year-old Bannerton man was also charged with possessing material or equipment for manufacturing a drug of dependence.
All men have been remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on November 4, with the exception of the 28-year-old Bannerton man who was bailed to appear at Mildura Magistrates' Court on September 30.
Two women were also arrested in Tasmania on Wednesday.
A 35-year-old Kingston Beach woman was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence.
A 29-year-old Lindisfarne woman was charged with recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
The Kingston Beach woman was remanded to appear at the Hobart Magistrates' Court on Thursday, while the Lindisfarne woman was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on November 24.
In total, 19 people have been arrested during the course of the investigation.
Police had previously seized 57 kilograms of methylamphetamine as well as a significant quantity of cash.
Three large-scale clandestine laboratories were also dismantled.
Homicide Squad detectives were also looking at possible links to the drug syndicate as part of the ongoing investigation into the death of Shu Jian Lim, whose body was located at Cobbledicks Ford Reserve in Mt Cottrell on September 17, 2015.
Detective Superintendent Jacqueline Curran said the warrants were the result of five months of investigation by the Clandestine Laboratory Squad and other units across Victoria Police, along with a number of external agencies.
"The arrest of 19 people over the course of the investigation and the seizure of significant amounts of illicit drugs and cash is an enormous win for the community," she said.
"Drugs are a significant driver of crime and community harm across the state and are a strong focus for Victoria Police.
"These arrests and seizures will have a significant impact on the syndicate and the investigation remains ongoing."
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au
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