Vic: Police bust undoes one of country s biggest drug rings

AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-1999
Vic: Police bust undoes one of country s biggest drug rings

More than 135 people have been arrested by Victorian police in an eight-year operation
described as the biggest in Australia.

Sixteen police taskforces have seized eight tonnes of chemicals, closed 15 drug
laboratories, confiscated $371,500 in cash and $415,000 forged US currency.

Drug squad head, Detective Chief Inspector JOHN MCKOY, says Operation Phalanx has resulted
in 135 arrests and has halved the flow of amphetamines in Victoria.

Details of the eight-year operation are becoming available as three court suppression
orders are being lifted after the last of those arrested plead guilty.

The investigation has revealed that Victoria's largest drug baron, JOHN HIGGS, paid off
police to gain information about an informer who he wanted to kill.

The informer has given evidence about HIGGS and his syndicate. HIGGS has been jailed for
six years.

The informer, who cannot be identified, has been forced to move overseas.

AAP RTV cmc/ag/er/wz/jn

KEYWORD: BUST (MELBOURNE)

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