POLICE in the Morwell Divisional Tasking Unit have been recognised for their efforts in busting a drug ring operating in the Latrobe Valley and Port Melbourne.
Operation Carpal resulted in the seizure of more than $500,000 in cash and assets, and the arrest of 16 people for 196 offences including trafficking methylamphetamines and ecstasy and possessing proceeds of crime.
The investigation into organised drug trafficking was conducted for 11 months from April 2007 until February 2008.
Local police working on the case were yesterday recognised with a commendation from region five assistant commissioner, Paul Evans, who was in Moe for a leadership group meeting.
Individual staff were also recognised for their contribution.
Sergeant Gavin Purcell, who headed the investigation, said staff had put a lot of hours into the operation.
``It's nice to be recognised but we're more rapt that we got the opportunity to do such an operation because an operation of that magnitude doesn't happen down here too often,'' he said.
``It was the dedication of the police to put a stop to one of the most hardcore organised drug rings around.
``Through the course of our job we see the effect of these drugs on people's lives, so to get them off the streets is great.''
Mr Evans said the work of the police on the case was ``significant'' and it was ``good policing at a local level'' that had picked up on the drug ring.
Meanwhile, Mr Evans met with the region's superintendents to discuss future directions for the region, which includes Gippsland and Melbourne's south-east.
During the visit, Mr Evans told The Express he was pleased with the work of Latrobe Valley police.
``Police in the Valley are really hard working, the issues here are quite intense,'' he said.
``I think the facts prove how well the Valley works, they police the Latrobe Valley well.
``It has a (crime) clearance rate running at about 60 per cent which is just about higher than any other place in the state, which is amazing.
``Crime has been kept in check over quite a number of years and has reduced, the clearance rate is amazing, the accident rate has been kept down, so they do a really good job.''
Mr Evans said he was ``looking after the country'' in securing extra police for the region, including four new staff members to work from Morwell and a new police vehicle.
``We're not just centred around metropolitan Melbourne, yes they do have their issues around the nightclubs but so do we, look at the issues that can occur around the nightclubs in Traralgon,'' he said.
``We are concerned about that, we do listen and we do respond.''