BELLARINE police have arrested more than a dozen people following a series of drug warrants this month.
Operation Sweeper was launched three weeks ago to disrupt drug activity on the Bellarine peninsula, including trafficking and weapons offences.
The operation culminated in the execution of nine drug warrants in Ocean Grove, Portarlington, Queenscliff, Barwon Heads and St Leonards.
Investigators seized $35,000 worth of cannabis, cash, knives and illegal fireworks.
Twelve men and one woman were arrested and charged with a range of offences including drug trafficking, drug possession, drug cultivation, weapons offences, possessing proceeds of crime and possessing illegal fireworks.
They were all bailed by police to face the Geelong Magistrates’ Court at later dates.
Bellarine Police Sergeant Michael Knight said the operation would not have been possible without the help of the local community.
“The success of this operation was largely due to the intelligence we received,” he said.
“We know that drug activity is occurring but we need information from the public that we can act on.
“We encourage anyone with any information on criminal activity to notify police through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
