Smackdown

By Nicole Williams
A RAID on a Springvale property was part of a police operation targeting four international drug syndicates trafficking heroin into Australia from Vietnam.
The Springvale raid was one of 11 search warrants conducted on properties in Nunawading, Thomastown, Wantirna, Wantirna South, Sunshine and nine properties in New South Wales as part of Operation Rattlesnake-Joinery.
Police arrested nine people and seized a substantial amount of cash, jewellery and property.
Victoria Police Drug Task Force Officer-in-Charge Detective Inspector David Jones said the operation was a success.
“This operation effectively demonstrates the major impact that Australian authorities have on dismantling organised criminal activities and networks when they collaborate and tackle the issue of illicit drugs together,” he said.
“More than 150 police were involved in taking down this drug ring.”
The operation was the result of an eight-month joint investigation between Victoria Police, New South Wales Police, Australian Federal Police, Australian Customs and Border Protection Services, the Australian Crime Commission and Vietnamese authorities.
Police said the drug syndicate has been ferrying heroin internally via drug couriers into Victoria and New South Wales from Vietnam.
“As a result of this operation, we believe we have been able to disrupt the activities of significant drug and organised crime syndicates operating internationally,” Det Insp Jones said.
AFP Co-ordinator Serious and Organised Crime, Detective Superintendent Des Appleby said the AFP warned people considering acting as an internal drug courier that they not only risked criminal charges but also death or serious injury.