Half a billion dollars worth of chemicals used to make meth seized in Victoria

Detectives say they found chemicals allegedly destined to become up to five tonnes of methylamphetamines after searching a 200-acre rural property in Wimmera in the Grampians.

More than 50 drums of precursor chemicals were found weighing more than 10 tonnes, in the investigation into a drug trafficking syndicate.

Police also found unsecured firearms, ammunition and a small amount of methylamphetamines.

Detectives arrested 59-year-old man who was later released.

Since the investigation began last February detectives have also shut down three large commercial clandestine laboratories in Coburg North, Pascoe Vale and Monegeetta, police said.

They say they have also recovered more than $1 million in stolen vehicles and motorbikes, seized eight firearms, charged eight people and seized commercial quantities of methylamphetamine, amphetamine and cannabis.

A total of 6kg of MDMA, allegedly hidden in the sleeping bag of a man and woman about to board the Spirit of Tasmania at the port of Geelong on 21 August was also seized.

The 44-year-old Newport man was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of MDMA and remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 26 November.