A random vehicle intercept led to police locating a firearm and drugs in Malvern East as part of Operation Nighthawk on Monday morning.
Police pulled over the vehicle on Belgrave Road shortly before 12.30am.
While speaking with the 35-year-old driver, police allegedly observed him throwing a small package containing drugs onto the roadside.
A search was conducted of the car and a rifle was located inside a guitar case on the backseat.
The 35-year-old passenger was also searched, which soon turned up ammunition and small bags containing heroin and ice in the man’s clothing.
Port Phillip Crime Investigation Unit detectives executed a search warrant at the passenger’s Flemington address where a small amount of cannabis and firearm components were located.
The driver was charged with drug trafficking, possess firearm and prohibited person possess firearm.
The passenger was charged with drug trafficking and possess firearm.
Both men were remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.
Operation Nighthawk is a proactive operation targeting burglaries, armed robberies, drug and weapon offences within the Prahran, Malvern, South Melbourne and St Kilda areas.
