Two illegal casinos operating in suburban homes have been shut down and 29 people have been arrested following a months-long investigation into an alleged drug crime syndicate.
The individuals were apprehended following months of raids on homes across Melbourne's east and north, with detectives closing two illegal gambling venues and seizing large quantities of cash, weapons and drugs.
Five kilograms of ketamine was seized across the course of the investigation, alongside seven kilograms of methamphetamine police will allege was being trafficked between Victoria and Western Australia.
A total of $600,000 cash, illicit tobacco, vapes, machetes, tasers, swords, daggers and other weapons were also impounded.
The investigation by Victoria Police's dedicated organised crime squad, Taskforce VIPER and the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission dates back to July, when nine people with alleged links to a crime syndicate were arrested at a home in Bundoora.
Among them were four foreign nationals, including two Malaysian men, a Chinese man and a woman from Thailand, who were charged with drug and other offences and remain in custody.
Further enquiries led police to the first suspected illegal casino in Carnegie, on August 15, when a raid allegedly uncovered multiple gambling rooms and staff and patrons inside allegedly playing illegal casino games.
Detectives interviewed 15 offenders, including two staff members, who were all released and are expected to be charged on summons.
On Tuesday detectives unearthed a second suspected illegal casino in Box Hill, where police arrested two alleged staff members; a 43-year-old Chinese national and a 49-year-old Balwyn North man.
Police subsequently searched homes in Balwyn North and Box Hill on the same day, where they allegedly found casino betting chips, cash and handwritten ledgers detailing large scale gambling at the Box Hill venue.
A 59-year-old Box Hill woman, who police allege was working at the Box Hill venue, was arrested at the property and is expected to be charged on summons.
Four firearms, other weapons, a large quantity of tobacco and drug manufacturing equipment were also seized from the Balwyn North home, where a 45-year-old woman was arrested.
She is expected to be charged on summons.
Police figured out early on the Carnegie and Box Hill homes were being used as illegal casinos, Clandestine Laboratory Squad detective Carlie Kohler said.
"Uncovering these casinos and putting an end to the illegal activities taking place inside them helps get drugs and weapons off the streets," Detective Inspector Kohler said.
Inspector Kohler urged anyone with information on the importation, manufacturing or trafficking of illicit drugs to come forward.
Another woman, from South Melbourne, was also charged with drug trafficking, possessing a prohibited weapon and dealing with the proceeds of crime as part of the investigation.
She has been remanded to appear in court in January.