By Casey Neill
Two alleged cannabis growers and five people wanted on warrants have fallen to a new south-east police taskforce in just one week.
The Journal reported last week that Detective Senior Sergeant John Bergin had established a 20-strong divisional response unit to tackle drug crime in Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia.
On Wednesday 31 August, he said that in the past week the fugitive team arrested five people wanted on outstanding arrest warrants in Noble Park, Berwick, Endeavour Hills and Pakenham.
Investigators executed a search warrant on Tuesday 30 September in Hay Court, Noble Park, where they found a clandestine hydroponic set-up.
Police arrested two men at the scene, Sen Sgt Bergin said, and seized a large quantity of cannabis.
The 26-year-old and 33-year-old were remanded Tuesday night to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court.
Sen Sgt Bergin encouraged residents to keep an eye out for signs of cannabis-producing hydroponic grow houses and clandestine laboratories, generally used to manufacture ice.
“We obviously rely on public information,” he said.
He said the usual signs of a lab included people entering and leaving a property at odd hours, strong chemical odours – often similar to cat’s urine – unusual noises, and dumped chemicals or chemical bottles.
Sen Sgt Bergin said usual signs of drug trafficking included people attending addresses for short periods of time, and people loitering in cars or on foot.
He said observed patterns of times, dates, descriptions of cars, registrations, suspects and addresses could help police.
“I think it’s fair to say that the whole division is impacted greatly by drug-related crime,” he said.
“We’re hell-bent on targeting that.”
He urged anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
