Police arrest three people and seize a large quantity of drugs and cash in Geelong area

Detectives from Echo Taskforce and the Geelong Firearms Prohibition team have seized drugs and cash following the arrest of three people in the Geelong area this week.

Police executed one Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) compliance search and served two FPO’s on three individuals and subsequently seized almost 40 cannabis plants, rifle ammunition, steroids, a prohibited weapon and approximately $50,000 cash.

On Wednesday 20 January, a 31-year-old Lovely Banks man was arrested following an FPO compliance check and charged with two counts of possession of a drug of dependence, possession of the proceeds of crime, possession of a firearm related item in contravention of an FPO and possession of cartridge ammunition. He was bailed to appear at the Geelong Magistrates Court on 20 May 2021.

Police also attended a Newcomb address to serve an FPO on a 30-year-old male. While at the address, the male and a 26-year-old female were arrested and charged after 37 cannabis plants were located growing hydroponically in a shed.

The 30-year-old male was charged with one count of cultivating a drug of dependence and one count of possession of a narcotic plant, while he was also in breach of a Community Corrections Order. He was bailed by the Geelong Magistrates Court and will appear at the Geelong Magistrates Court on the 29 April 2021.

The 26-year-old female was charged with one count of cultivating a drug of dependence, possession of a narcotic plant and one count of possession of a prohibited weapon. She was bailed to appear at the Geelong Magistrates Court on the 5 May 2021.

Anyone with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Quotes attributed to Detective Senior Sergeant Ash Ryan, Echo Taskforce:

“These results reinforce why it is so important for us to be checking up on persons of interest and criminals that we know present a risk to the community if they access firearms. Even though they are prohibited from acquiring, possessing, carrying or using any firearm, we know this is not always the case despite the strong deterrent of up to ten years in prison.”

“Targeting illicit firearms using FPO’s allows us to not only reduce the impact of firearm related violence in the community but prevent other crimes from occurring.”

“The impact gun crime has had in Geelong has been devastating and we know it has been of great concern to the community. It is of the upmost importance to us to crack down on the issue to avoid tragedies from occurring and holding offenders to account, using all available legislation to both detect and prevent crime.”

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