Police seize 10 tonnes of methylamphetamine chemical from Wimmera property

Police have uncovered chemicals worth $500 million in regional Victoria that they claim will be converted into tonnes of methylamphetamine.

A 200-acre rural property in the Wimmera district was searched by the undercover laboratory team and the Horsham crime investigation unit on Tuesday.

Police said they found more than 50 barrels of a methylamphetamine precursor chemical weighing more than 10 tons and seized two unsecured firearms, ammunition and a small amount of methylamphetamine.

A 59-year-old man was arrested at the address and later released.

The finding is part of a 20-month investigation into an alleged drug trafficking operation in Victoria where police shut down three clandestine laboratories in Coburg North, Pascoe Vale and Monegeetta.

A 44-year-old Newport man was also charged as part of the operation earlier this year after a man and woman allegedly carried 6 kilograms of MDMA hidden in a sleeping bag onto the Spirit of Tasmania ferry in Geelong Harbor in August. 21.

He has been charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of MDMA and will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later this month.

As part of the investigation, which began in February last year, officers also seized more than $1 million worth of stolen vehicles and motorcycles used in the rebirth operation, seized eight firearms and charged eight people.

Commercial quantities of methylamphetamine, amphetamine and marijuana were also seized.

Investigations continue.