LOCAL police from a taskforce code-named Operation Gelled have seized drugs valued at more than $100,000 in a series of raids in Moe and Melbourne.
Methamphetamine, ecstasy and prescription drugs with a street value of more than $105,000 were confiscated along with about $15,000 of stolen property.
A 71 year-old Moe man faces 11 drug related charges, including trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamine, and trafficking ecstasy and prescription medication.
Further charges relating to the handling of stolen goods and possession of proceeds of crime are expected to be laid.
The man was arrested by members of the Morwell Divisional Tasking Unit on Monday following an eight-month investigation.
Police then executed simultaneous search warrants throughout Victoria.
The man appeared at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court yesterday and did not apply for bail.
He was remanded in custody to reappear at court early next year.
Divisional Tasking Unit Senior Constable Brent Muir said information and assistance from members of the public lead to the initiation of Operation Gelled, which was a ``major'' local drug investigation.
He said the focus of the operation was to ``significantly'' reduce the supply of drugs of dependence in the Latrobe Valley.
``This will lead to a reduction in detected drug offences and associated crimes such as burglary, thefts of motor vehicles and thefts from motor vehicles,'' Sen Const Muir said.
``Information provided by the public and countless hours of covert surveillance lead to the success of Operation Gelled.''
He said the final phase of the operation involved 50 police members from the Morwell and Warragul Criminal Investigation Units, Latrobe Traffic Management Unit, Morwell Crime Desk and Moe uniform officers.
He said police recovered ``large quantities'' of methamphetamine and seized three vehicles during the raids, and police hoped to also seize ``a number'' of residential properties as assets under automatic forfeiture laws.
``Police would like to thank the community for their information and we always welcome any further input from the community,'' he said.
Operation forwarding commander Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Pegg said police were pleased with the outcome ``after what has been an extensive and thorough investigation by local police units''.
Anyone with information is encouraged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800333000.