Detectives from the Illicit Firearms Squad yesterday arrested six people and seized drugs and cash as part of an investigation into firearm and drug trafficking across Melbourne’s southeast.
With the assistance of the Armed Crime Squad, Echo Taskforce, Casey Crime Investigation Unit, SD3 Divisional Response Unit and Youth Gangs Team, nine search warrants were executed across southeastern suburbs on Tuesday, 8 August.
Nine warrants were executed at residential properties in Clyde North, Cranbourne North (2), Narre Warren, Clyde, Berwick and Hampton Park as well as two factory addresses in Hallam.
With the assistance of the Special Operations Group, a 27-year-old Clyde North man was arrested in Oakleigh just after 4pm yesterday afternoon.
Police seized half a kilogram of what appears to be cocaine.
He was charged with possess traffickable quantity of firearms and traffick drug of dependence.
The man was remanded in custody and will face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.
A 26-year-old Cranbourne North man charged with traffick and possess drugs of dependence, possess general category handgun, dispose of general category firearm except to a licensed firearms dealer, traffick a commercial quantity of a drug of dependence and other firearm and drug offences.
A 25-year-old Narre Warren man was charged with traffick drug of dependence and possess proceeds of crime.
The duo will face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 21 November.
A 28-year-old Clyde man is expected to be charged on summons.
A 21-year-old Cranbourne North woman and a 35-year-old Hampton Park man were released pending further enquiries.
Police subsequently seized approximately $100,000 cash believed to be the proceeds of crime as well as various amounts of what appear to be MDMA, hallucinogenic mushrooms and cocaine.
A search warrant was previously executed at a residential address in Maribyrnong on Thursday, 27 July.
A 32-year-old Maribyrnong woman was charged with possess traffickable quantity of firearms and attempt to traffick an possess drug of dependence.
She was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 13 October.
A Firearm Prohibition Order was served on a 31-year-old man also at the address.
Anyone with information about illicit firearms is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit at confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
