Police have dismantled a Balnarring drug lab they describe as one of Victoria’s largest uncovered this year. A Rye man is among three people charged following searches on the Mornington Peninsula and in Melbourne.
Officers searched properties in Balnarring and Rye, along with Maribyrnong and Preston, on Tuesday, 8 September.
At the Balnarring address, investigators found a commercial-sized laboratory allegedly linked to an organised crime syndicate. Police believe it was likely generating millions of dollars in profits.
Victoria Police announced the operation in a statement released on Friday, 11 September.
Drugs And Chemicals Seized From Balnarring Drug Lab
Detectives seized about eight kilograms of suspected methylamphetamine and five tonnes of waste material containing traces of the drug.
They also found more than 100 litres of precursor chemicals, commercial quantities of ketamine and MDMA, and sophisticated scientific equipment.
The haul included solvents and acids allegedly used to manufacture illicit drugs. The five tonnes of waste was separate from the eight kilograms of suspected methylamphetamine.
Meanwhile, searches at the other properties uncovered a large quantity of cash, a cash counter, knuckle dusters and electronic devices.
Police also seized watches they believe were proceeds of crime, alongside cocaine, cannabis, MDMA, magic mushrooms and steroids.
Rye Man Faces Commercial Drug Trafficking Charges
Police arrested a 31-year-old Rye man, a 30-year-old Maribyrnong man and a 30-year-old Preston woman during the operation.
Both men face charges of trafficking large commercial quantities of methamphetamine and MDMA, and trafficking a commercial quantity of ketamine.
Police also charged them with possessing substances, material and equipment to manufacture a drug of dependence.
The Preston woman faces charges of trafficking a commercial quantity of cocaine and possessing MDMA and cannabis.
All three were interviewed and granted bail to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 13 January 2027, according to Victoria Police.
The charges remain allegations and have not been determined by a court.
Investigation Into Alleged Drug Manufacturing Continues
Detective Inspector Carlie Kohler, of the Clandestine Laboratory Squad, described the Balnarring laboratory as:
“one of the largest clandestine laboratories uncovered in Victoria this year”
She said the laboratory was likely generating millions of dollars for an organised crime syndicate. Its dismantling represented a significant disruption to the alleged operation.
Detective Inspector Kohler said illicit drug profits came from exploiting vulnerable people and often funded other serious and violent crime.
The investigation began in May 2026 and remains ongoing.
The Clandestine Laboratory Squad led the searches, with assistance from Taskforce VIPER, the Major Drug Squad, Taskforce Icarus and the Joint Organised Crime Taskforce. Victoria Police.
Anyone with information about illicit drug importation, manufacturing or trafficking can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers Victoria.
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