Detectives from the Illicit Firearms Squad have charged nine people overnight following an investigation into an organised crime syndicate allegedly trafficking firearms and drugs across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
With assistance from the VIPER Taskforce, Armed Crime Squad, Vehicle Crime Squad, Croydon Divisional Response Unit and the Yarra Ranges, Ballarat and Maroondah Crime Investigation Units, nine warrants were executed Tuesday morning at properties in Lilydale, Boronia, Kilsyth South, Boronia, Ringwood North, Burwood East, Vermont South, The Basin and Scarsdale.
Nine people have now been charged, including:
• A 41-year-old Lilydale man charged with drug and firearm trafficking offences. He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today;
• A 52-year-old Ringwood North man charged with trafficking firearms and remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today;
• A 23-year-old Boronia man charged with drug and firearm trafficking offences, remanded to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 13 February;
• A 23-year-old Kilsyth South man charged with drug and firearm trafficking offences, remanded to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 13 February;
• A 24-year-old Boronia man charged with trafficking firearms and remanded to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 13 February;
• A 61-year-old Kilsyth South man charged with possess drug of dependence, and has been bailed to appear in court at a later date;
• A 39-year-old Scarsdale man charged with drug offences and bailed to appear in court at a later date;
• A 29-year-old Vermont South man arrested on an unrelated warrant and remanded to appear in court today; and
• A 50-year-old Vermont South man charged with theft and bailed to appear in court at a later date.
During the searches, investigators located six firearms, ammunition, various quantities of cannabis (both dried and in plant form), and a quantity of cash.
The investigation remains ongoing.
The Illicit Firearms Squad is based within Victoria Police’s Crime Command and targets the manufacture, trafficking and use of illicit firearms across Victoria.
Anyone with information about illicit firearms is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
