Members of a Victorian retail crime syndicate are stealing items to order and trading them for drugs, police allege.
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Victoria Police this week charged two men who they alleged were part of the syndicate of up to 20 people.
The syndicate allegedly targeted Melbourne retailers, along with stores in regional towns including Colac, Echuca and Wodonga.
The two men from Deer Park in Melbourne's west - one, aged 25 and the other 26 - allegedly stole $17,000 worth of goods over 11 days in June.
The syndicate they were a part of stole items including baby formula, vitamins, dental products, cosmetics and medicine to order, before trading them for drugs, police alleged.
"Police will continue to focus on disrupting organised groups that are profiting off the sale of stolen items from businesses across Victoria," police said in a statement.
After a failed arrest attempt whereby the men allegedly evaded police on June 13, officers tracked down the pair on Wednesday with retailers' help.
The 25-year-old man was granted bail to face Sunshine Magistrates Court on October 17.
The 26-year-old was remanded in custody to appear in court on July 15.
Police urged anyone with more information about the syndicate to come forward.
Australian Associated Press
