VIPER Taskforce charged two people yesterday evening after locating commercial quantities of various drugs, in excess of $100k cash and ammunition while serving a Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO).
Members of the taskforce had been at the Weir Views property to serve the FPO on a 48-year-old Weir Views man.
A warrant was executed at the address, and police subsequently located in excess of $100,000 cash, what appears to be approximately 25 litres of 1,4-Butanediol, approximately 300 grams of methylamphetamine, approximately 100 tablets suspected to be MDMA, approximately 425 grams of MDMA in rock form, a quantity of cocaine and nine rounds of ammunition hidden in various locations around the house.
A 48-year-old Weir Views man was charged with traffick commercial quantity of various drugs of dependence, possess proceeds of crime and possess ammunition.
A 41-year-old Weir Views woman was charged with traffick commercial quantity of various drugs of dependence and possess proceeds of crime.
The duo was remanded and will face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.
Once issued, an FPO remains in effect for 10 years for adults and five years for children, which is those between 14 and 17 years of age.
During that time, the individual is prohibited from acquiring, possessing, carrying or using any firearm or firearm related item such as ammunition.
They are also unable to enter a range of premises including firearms dealers, shooting ranges or firearms clubs.
The charges relating to FPOs are significant – 10 years imprisonment for acquiring, possessing, carrying or using a firearm or firearm related item.
Since they were introduced in May 2018, Victoria Police has issued over 1700 FPOs across the state.
Anyone with information about illicit firearm or drug activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
Quotes attributable to Detective Acting Inspector Warren Chapman, VIPER Taskforce:
“Firearm Prohibition Orders serve as a powerful tool to hold certain individuals accountable when it comes to the use of illicit firearms, and as this result highlights – the possession of firearms is generally linked to other serious and violent offending, including the drug trade.
“FPOs are not issued only based on a person’s criminal history with firearms – they are being issued to those people we know have a significant history of serious violent crime or who are linked to serious and organised crime groups.
“By actively working to reduce the number of illicit firearms in the community, we will reduce the amount of serious crimes those weapons enable.
“Today’s enforcement sends a clear message to organised crime groups and their associates – you cannot hide. Police will use every power we have to prevent you from causing harm to our communities.”
