<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police have smashed an alleged shoplifting syndicate in Melbourne, arresting 19 people accused of stealing millions of dollars' worth of goods.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Detectives say the group targeted major supermarket retailers in the city metropolitan district, stealing more than $10 million worth of high-demand items over the past five months.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They include baby formula, medicines, vitamins, skincare products, electric toothbrushes and toiletries.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/finance/ampol-eg-group/6450c950-318e-4654-8307-bf5d9c5c16a1"><strong><span>Servo giant confirms massive $1.1 billion takeover</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police say the alleged offenders, mostly Indian nationals on temporary visas, were part of a coordinated network funnelling stolen goods to sellers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Among those arrested were six men and a woman aged between 21 and 54. They are accused of individual thefts, ranging in value from $25,000 to $136,000.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They are next due in court over coming months.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/police-arrest-19-people-over-alleged-melbourne-retail-theft-syndicate/ad718479-3b99-4339-8f2e-2e731c3235c7" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police say the accused were part of a wider criminal network.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This has been one of the most significant operations we've undertaken in recent times to target organised retail theft," said Detective Acting Inspector Rachele Ciavarella.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/perth-news-emergency-surgery-for-teen-after-bizarre-perth-glass-attack/782df74e-b14e-4c99-a79b-1326588e4779"><strong><span>Emergency surgery for teen after bizarre glass attack</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We will allege this syndicate are not only stealing for themselves, but they are part of a coordinated criminal enterprise profiting from stolen goods. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"By working with major retailers, we've been able to identify alleged offenders quickly and build a strong intelligence picture, allowing us to target the right people at the right time.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Our message is simple: if you target our retail sector, we will target you."</span></div></div>