A VETERAN police officer was charged today as Purana taskforce detectives dismantled a high-level drug syndicate.
The middle-aged acting senior sergeant from a Melbourne metropolitan station has been charged by the Ethical Standards Department with three serious offences.
The counts are perverting the course of justice, misconduct and disclosing confidential information.
The senior sergeant is alleged to have had connections with some of the people embroiled in the drug investigation by Purana.
Earlier today, the police anti-gangland taskforce conducted drug raids across Melbourne and arrested seven people on charges of drug trafficking.
Task force detectives arrested seven people after raids on homes and businesses in the CBD, Brunswick, Newport and Sunshine.
The Purana taskforce's main role is to investigate organised crime.
Police today described the series of arrests as a “blow to organised crime”, amid an operation targeting drug trafficking in the northern suburbs.
As well as taskforce members, officers from the criminal proceeds squad, drug taskforce and dog squad, were involved in the raids, which netted “a large quantity” of drugs and cash.
Police said the arrests followed an eight-month investigation into an alleged criminal network.
Those arrested, other than the officer, include six men and a woman.
These include three Brunswick men aged 19, 44 and 67; a 44-year-old Rowville man, two Yarraville men, aged 36; and a Newport woman, aged 47.
The group are all expected to face charges of trafficking a drug of dependence.
Purana taskforce acting Inspector Mick Hughes said anyone involved in organised crime could expect to face serious charges.
“We will continue to target those who are part of organised crime networks and those involved in the sale and manufacture of illicit drugs,” Insp Hughes said.
He said the aim would be to destroy criminal networks.
