A major police operation in Perth’s southeast has taken several kilograms of drugs off the street and seen 140 people charged with more than 420 offences.
About $300,000 worth of stolen property was retrieved as well as $264,000 in cash and 14 firearms including two homemade sub machine guns, ammunition and other weapons.
The drugs seized included methylamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis.
South metro region commander Pryce Scanlan said search warrants were executed on 80 premises.
“The occupants of these properties are causing significant harm in our community, and in many cases are also bringing misery to their law abiding neighbours,” he said.
“These homes are characterised by frequent visits from multiple vehicles at any hour of the day and often generate antisocial behavior which disrupts the lives of innocent people.”
Commander Scanlan said suburban ‘drug homes’ were often a centre point for high volume crimes with a correlation established between drug usage and property crimes such as burglary and stealing.
“For example, at one property our officers discovered items that had been stolen during a ram raid at a Willetton business on February 23,” he said.
The operation involved more than 200 officers from the southeast metropolitan police district, state traffic operations, mounted and canine operations and the organised crime squad’s meth teams.
Commander Scanlan said police investigations have developed a clearer picture of drug and high volume crime in the district.
“We initially started with a list of 25 houses based on information supplied by the public and from police intelligence holdings, but that has grown significantly to the 80 premises raided so far,” he said.
“Information from the public has been critical in the planning for this operation.
“We call on the public to continue to assist police in applying pressure to criminals in our community.”
Suspicious behavior can be reported by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au.
To date, the operation has resulted in:
Search warrants executed – 80
Persons charged – 152
Charges preferred – 447
Persons charged sell/supply methylamphetamine – 44
Methylamphetamine seized – 1.53 kgs
Other drugs seized – cannabis (7.1kgs), cocaine (150gms), ecstasy (58 tablets)
Cash seized – $266,883
Stolen property recovered – estimated at $350,000
Street value of drugs seized – $1.72million
Firearms seized – 20
