In a second annual week of action on the border, Victoria Police has arrested 28 people and seized weapons, drugs, cash and stolen vehicles following a joint-agency operation targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCG) and organised criminal entities.
Operation Blue Ember is a joint operation between Victoria Police’s VIPER Taskforce, NSW Police Force’s State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups and Raptor Squads in partnership with the Sheriff’s Office.
The operation focussed on the north-east of Victoria and southern New South Wales.
During the multi-agency operation – which commenced at 6am on Monday (20 May) and concludes at midday on Friday, 24 May – VIPER Taskforce has thus far executed a total of 29 warrants, including 10 Firearm Prohibition Order compliance searches, made 28 arrests and laid 74 charges.
Incidents of note include:
• On Tuesday, 21 May, members from VIPER Taskforce executed a search warrant at a residential Wodonga address. Police located and seized a 3D printer, 3D firearm printed parts, various quantities of what appear to be methylamphetamine and cocaine and an allegedly stolen motorcycle. A 39-year-old Wodonga man was charged with a range of offences including possess methylamphetamine, possess cannabis, theft of motor vehicle and other weapons and firearms offences.
• A Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) compliance search was conducted by members of the VIPER Taskforce at a residential address in Wangaratta also on Tuesday, 21 May. During the search of the property, police located and seized various quantities of 1,4-Butanediol and methylamphetamine and a small quantity of cash. A 43-year-old Wangaratta was charged with possess traffickable quantity drug of dependence, possess proceeds of crime and possess drug of dependence.
• Current to 4pm on Wednesday, 22 May, VIPER Taskforce had made 28 arrests, laid 74 charges, executed seven search warrants and twelve bench warrants (including three extradition warrants), a further 10 FPO compliance searches, and seized a 3D printer, one 3D printed firearm, a pair of knuckle dusters, a conducted electricity device (taser), a butterfly knife, various drugs of dependence including 1,4-Butanediol, methylamphetamine, cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, prescription medication, a quantity of cash and a previously stolen motorbike.
• About 12.15pm on Monday 20 May 2024, NSW Police received information that an allegedly stolen white Nissan Pathfinder had been involved in an earlier pursuit with Victoria Police and the vehicle had been driven into New South Wales. State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad responded and deployed road spikes near the border crossing at Wodonga Place in Albury before engaging in a pursuit when the vehicle allegedly failed to stop. The vehicle eventually came to a stop when a tyre on the car started to smoke in Guinea Street, where NSW Fire & Rescue were called to assist. Five people were arrested at the scene. During a search of the vehicle, police located a small quantity of illicit drugs. The 29-year-old driver was charged with three offences, including police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner and resist police. He was refused bail and appeared in Albury Local Court on Tuesday 21 May 2024. A 36-year-old passenger was charged with two offences, including be carried in conveyance and resist police. He was also identified as the subject of a Murray River Police District Drug Unit investigation under Strike Force Kumbatine and charged with an additional 57 drug supply related offences. He was refused bail and appeared in Albury Local Court on Tuesday 21 May 2024. A 29-year-old woman who was also travelling in the car was charged with possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance. She was granted strict conditional bail to appear in Albury Local Court on Thursday 8 August 2024. A 23-year-old female passenger was charged with two outstanding warrants relating to previous domestic violence, stealing and breach of bail offences. She was refused bail and appeared in Albury Local Court on Tuesday 21 May 2024. A 28-year-old female passenger was released pending further inquiries.
• About 6.10am on Monday 20 May 2024, Raptor Squad officers executed a Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) and Weapon Prohibition Order (WPO) compliance check at an address allegedly linked to a senior OMCG member in Lavington. During a search of the home, police located and seized four small bags of an alleged prohibited substance, about $1400 in cash, scales, and other items consistent with drug supply. The 63-year-old occupant of the home was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station, where he was charged with supply prohibited drug >small &
• About 11am on Monday 20 May 2024, Raptor Squad officers executed a Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) and Weapon Prohibition Order (WPO) compliance check at an address in West Albury. During a search of the property, police located and seized a knuckle duster. The 37-year-old occupant of the home was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station, where he was charged with Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, use prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order and possess prohibited drug. The man was granted conditional bail to appear in Albury Local Court on Wednesday 19 June 2024.
• About 2.15pm on Monday 20 May 2024, officers attached to Raptor Squad attempted to stop a car on Mate Street in Lavington. When the vehicle allegedly failed to stop, multiple pursuits were initiated through Albury, but subsequently terminated due to safety concerns. With assistance from Victoria Police Air Wing, Raptor Squad officers locate the driver in a backyard in Thurgoona. The 39-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Albury Police Station, where he was charged with four offences, including police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, never licensed person drive vehicle on road, and possess prohibited drug. The man was refused bail and appeared in Albury Local Court on Tuesday 21 May 2024.
Alongside New South Wales Police Force and the Sherriff’s Office, the VIPER Taskforce was supported by the Echo Taskforce, Public Order Response Team (PORT), State Highway Patrol, Dog Squad and Wodonga Crime Investigation Unit and uniform members.
Victoria Police’s Detective Inspector Craig Darlow said by coordinating cross-border and cross jurisdictional operations, both agencies enhance their capabilities to disrupt OMCG and criminal networks.
“Outlaw motorcycle gangs are recognised as having high levels of involvement in illicit drug importation, production and distribution, illicit firearms trafficking and money laundering as well as extreme violent crime.
“Alongside our partners and with specialist taskforces such as VIPER and Echo, we will continue to use our full range of capabilities to proactively target OMCGs and those people involved in organised crime at every opportunity.
“There can be a perception that it is easier to hide in the country. That is simply not true. If you are involved in organised criminal activity, you will be detected and you will be held accountable, irrespective of a state border.
“Our message to OMCGs, their facilitators and those people associated with organised crime is clear – we are working together, and we will be relentless. You cannot hide, and we will not stop.”
NSW Detective Acting Superintendent Glyn Baker, Commander of State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad, said the surge of specialist resources on the border was a success in the ongoing fight against organised crime.
“This type of saturation model – where specialist squads deploy and focus on a particular area for a short space of time – is a proven method of crime-fighting, and our time on the border has been no different,” Det A/Supt Baker said.
“The extra resources on the ground here have not only boosted the capabilities of crime-fighting but will ideally have a lasting impact in crime prevention going forward.
“Organised crime in Australia isn’t contained by borders, so law enforcement can’t be either. That’s why this operation was both so necessary and so successful.
“Tackling regional crime is a priority for our organisation, and criminals need to understand there are no safe havens across our country. Just because you’re not in a capital city, that doesn’t mean you aren’t in our sights.”
The Sheriff of Victoria Julie Brown said that sheriff’s officers conduct enforcement activities across Victoria, targeting those with outstanding warrants.
“The Sheriff’s Office executed 75 warrants against 9 debtors related to warrants totalling $54,887.84. Some matters were resolved by immediate payment totalling more than $22,000 during this week of action.”
“We are working to hold those with outstanding warrants to account, and operations like this help disrupt illegal activities and ensure those involved with organised crime and OMCGs pay or resolve their outstanding matters.”
“Once a fine is registered with Fines Victoria it does not expire and can be enforced at any time.”
“The Sheriff’s Office will continue to work closely with Victoria Police in these types of operations.”
The VIPER Taskforce is a tactical and investigative unit based within Crime Command focused on preventing, detecting, deterring, disrupting and dismantling the criminal activities of groups such as outlaw motorcycle gangs, organised crime networks and street gangs.
The taskforce, which commenced in July 2022, supports the work of specialist investigation units and regional police by providing further investigation tactics and enforcement actions.
VIPER is an acronym for visibility, intelligence, prevention, enforcement and reassurance.
Anyone with information about organised criminal or illicit drug activity is urged to Anyone with information about OMCG or illicit firearm activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
