POLICE from Yea, Kinglake and Broadford collaborated with the Game Management Authority (GMA), conducting a three-night Operation ’DREAMSTATE’ in the Murrindindi and Mitchell Police Service area, targeting Illegal hunting activity.
Late on Friday, July 10, a 26-year-old male from Kotta was intercepted in the Tallarook State Forest. Police observed the driver attempting to fumble around with something in the back seat. Police located a loaded, high-powered rifle on the back seat along with multiple loose ammunition throughout the vehicle.
The male was also in possession of a spotlight in a deer habitat. Six firearms and the spotlight were seized, the male will be interviewed and expect to be summonsed to court at a later date.
Early on Saturday, July 11, a vehicle was located on Whittlesea-Yea Road in Flowerdale.
It was soon determined that a loaded firearm was located on the rear seat and the vehicle was unlocked. Watching close on in the bushes was a 38-year-old male from Mill Park and two of his associates bunkered down waiting for authorities to leave the scene.
The males eventually surrendered themselves where their firearm, thermal binoculars, hunting knives and bags were seized. They will all expect to be summonsed to court at a later date.
