$3 million-worth of drugs seized during ACT raids, police allege

Police raids between 19 and 23 August 2024 allegedly saw several cannabis grow houses dismantled. Photo: ACT Policing.

A series of police raids across the ACT earlier this month allegedly netted $3 million worth of drugs and $500,000 in cash.

Operation Vitreus was a national week of action by all of Australia’s police forces, targeting the sale and distribution of illicit drugs across Australia.

As part of this operation, ACT Policing executed 15 search warrants across Canberra between 19 and 23 August.

Officers allegedly seized more than 1000 cannabis plants, more than 42 kg of dried cannabis material and about 280 grams of cocaine. Police estimated the combined value of the drugs to be about $3.1 million.

In addition, a firearm, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, illegal fireworks, steroids and a prohibited knife were allegedly found at a home in Gungahlin.

A police spokesperson said two properties, in Flynn and Fraser, and two vehicles, a Toyota Camry and a Toyota Tarago, will be restrained under proceeds of crime legislation.

“The week of action resulted in four grow houses in the ACT being dismantled,” the spokesperson alleged.

Police allegedly seized cannabis during raids between 19 and 23 August 2024. Photo: ACT Policing.

Also, information gathered during the raids led investigators to an alleged fifth grow house in Forde on Saturday (24 August). Here, police allegedly found more than 200 cannabis plants.

Detective Acting Inspector Dale Ohlmus said it was pleasing to have good intelligence, which led to these significant outcomes.

“Working with our state and territory partners allows us to share information about local drug trafficking networks, giving us valuable information to help identify and dismantle these groups,” he said.

“Illicit drugs cause harm to our community, whether that be watching a loved one struggle with addiction to being the victim of drug-related property crime, or a collision with a drug-affected driver.

“That’s why we’re targeting those who seek to profit from the harm caused by illicit drugs.”

Two men were arrested during a raid at a property in Flynn on Thursday (22 August) and charged with several offences relating to the alleged cultivation and distribution of cannabis.