Firearms, motorbikes, cars and drugs are amongst items seized by Western Region police during a four-day operation in Ballarat and Bacchus Marsh.
30 firearms including two .22 calibre handguns, shotguns, a long-arm rifle and two imitation firearms were some of the items seized in a number of warrants executed at residential properties.
Other items seized included; four stolen motorbikes, including a Harley Davidson, seven stolen cars, five cars seized as proceeds of crime, ammunition, ecstasy tablets, Xantax tablets, heroin, MDMA, cannabis, cocaine, LSD, chainsaws, nail guns, a concrete leveller, generators and tradesman’s tools.
The arrests are part of Operation Incurable, involving police from all divisions including Divisional Response Units, Criminal Investigation Units, Sexual Offences Child Abuse Investigation Teams, Family Violence Investigation Units, Crime Scene Units and Uniform officers.
The week of action targeted high-volume crime, aggravated burglaries and drug trafficking.
Ballarat Investigation & Response Manager Inspector Greg Payne said this is the largest seizure of guns in the region.
“This is the biggest haul of weapons in this area and the result of four days of executing warrants across the region.
“We’re taking these weapons off the streets and ensuring they’re not in the hands of the wrong people.
“As a result, this’ll have a positive impact on crime in our region and keep the community safe.”
The following people have been arrested and charged:
• A 45-year-old Mt Pleasant man has been charged with two counts of trafficking a commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, possess a trafficable quantity of firearms, proceeds of crime and handle stolen goods. He has been remanded in custody.
• A 49-year-old Haddon man has been charged with trafficking a drug of dependence, possess firearms and proceeds of crime. He has been remanded in custody.
• A 26-year-old Wendouree woman has been charged with traffick drug of dependence, possessing drug of dependence, proceeds of crime and handle stolen goods. She has been remanded in custody.
• A 43-year-old Smythesdale man has been charged with handle stolen goods and fail to secure firearms safely. He has been bailed to appear Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on 22 January 2020.
• A 38-year-old Delacombe man has been charged with reckless conduct endangering life, trafficking drug of dependence, possessing drug of dependence, proceeds of crime and handle stolen goods. He has been remanded in custody.
• A 21-year-old Haddon man has been charged with possess drug of dependence and has been bailed to appear Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on 6 February 2020.
• A 21-year-old Mt. Clear man has been charged with aggravated burglary, theft of motor vehicle, reckless conduct endangering life and he has been remanded in custody.
• A 24-year-old Ballarat woman has been charged with theft of motor vehicle. She has been bailed to appear at the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on 3 February 2020.
• A 17-year-old Creswick man has been charged with theft of motor vehicle, reckless conduct endangering life and he has been remanded in custody to appear at court at a later date.
• A 40-year-old Ballarat man has been charged with trafficking a drug of dependence, possess drug of dependence, handle stolen goods and proceeds of crime. He has been remanded in custody
• A 32-year-old Ballarat woman has been charged with traffick drug of dependence and possessing drug of dependence. She has been remanded in custody.
• A 32-year-old Alfredton man has been charged with traffick drug of dependence and possessing drug of dependence. He has been remanded in custody.
• A 30-year-old Delacombe man has been charged with possess prohibited weapon, possess drug of dependence and bail offences. He has been and was released for a later court date in 2020.
• A 22-year-old Delacombe woman has been charged with possessing drug of dependence. She has been bailed to appear at the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on 6 February 2020.
• A 23-year-old Clifton Springs woman has been charged with possessing drug of dependence. She has been bailed to appear at the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on 6 February 2020.
• A 40-year-old Bacchus Marsh man has been charged with possessing explosives, possess firearms, cultivate narcotic plant, possess drug of dependence. He has been bailed to appear at the Bacchus Marsh Magistrates’ Court on 17 January 2020.
• A 27-year-old Bacchus Marsh woman has been charged with cultivate narcotic plant and possess drug of dependence. She has been bailed to appear at the Bacchus Marsh Magistrates’ Court on 17 January 2020.
• A 43-year-old Bacchus Marsh man has been charged with cultivate narcotic plant and possess drug of dependence. He has been bailed to appear at the Bacchus Magistrates’ Court on 17 January 2020.
• A 72-year-old Bacchus Marsh man has been cautioned for possess drug of dependence.
• A 36-year-old Alfredton woman has been cautioned for possess drug of dependence.
• A 55-year-old Ballarat East man has been charged with possessing drug of dependence. He has been bailed to appear at the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on 22 January 2020.
