Crackdown targets Ice epidemic
A special squad of heavily armed police has carried out dozens of raids to combat a dramatic escalation in Victoria's Ice epidemic.
Two people were arrested and drugs seized when police swooped on a property at Deer Park in one of dozens of co-ordinated drug raids across Melbourne in the past week.
Police arrested a man for trafficking offences and seized drugs, cash and mobile phones in a second early morning raid at St Albans.
Four people were arrested for drug-related offences when police stormed a home in Sunshine North.
They also discovered a large amount of Ice, cash, weapons and mobile phones.
Police say the raids are part of an ongoing effort to tackle the growing Ice problem in Melbourne's western suburbs.
"It's one of the most significant problems in this state in terms of illicit drugs," said Assistant Commissioner Steve Fontana.
"It's the drug that is causing the most harm, not only in Victoria but nationally."
Police say Ice labs across the country are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
In one home, an elaborate set-up was uncovered inside a shipping container.
The Ice problem is widespread across Melbourne and increasing by the day.
Between January and August, 106 Ice labs have been located in 85 different suburbs and towns.
A new form of the drug, laced with Heroin to make it even more addictive, has also hit the streets, and has senior officers extremely concerned.
"We've had drugs analysed and the methamphetamine is being laced with other substances, such as Heroin, to increase the addictiveness of it," said Mr Fontana.
One of the more frightening elements to the Ice epidemic is that many dealers have migrated to the quiet streets of suburban Melbourne to cook drugs.
Their homes look like any other from the outside, and their neighbours have no idea what is taking place inside.
"These people are driven by greed. They don't care who they harm. They are there to make money, and make it quickly," Mr Fontana said.
More raids are planned for later this week.
Police warn the cooks, dealers and users they will be caught and charged.
Vision filmed by Victoria Police for 7News Melbourne
