Gang Crime Squad detectives last week charged three men in the City of Whittlesea following a year-long investigation into drug and firearm trafficking linked to organised crime syndicates.
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With assistance from Victoria Police’s Echo Taskforce and North West Metro Regional Crime Squad, warrants were executed at three homes in Lalor, Wollert and Thomastown at 5am on Wednesday.
A Lalor man, 23, was charged with a range of offences, including prohibited person possessing a firearm, acquiring and attempting to dispose of a traffickable quantity of firearms, disposing category A or B longarm except licenced firearms dealer, possessing firearm with no serial number, unlicensed person failing to store firearm in secure manner, eight counts of trafficking cocaine, trafficking methylamphetamine, driving while suspended and committing indictable offence while on bail.
He was bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
A Thomastown man, 58, believed to be a patched member of the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang, was charged with prohibited person possessing firearm, handling stolen goods, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, possessing firearm with no serial number, possessing imitation firearm, two counts of possessing prohibited weapon without exemption and disposing category A or B longarm except licenced firearms dealer.
He was bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on July 13.
A previously stolen Harley Davidson motorcycle and two samurai swords were also seized at the Thomastown address.
A Wollert man, 23, was charged with two counts each of trafficking cocaine, possessing cocaine and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
He was bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on March 11.
Police allege the two 23-year-old men have links to Middle Eastern organised crime. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information on illicit drugs or firearms involved is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Paul Gilmour, of the Gang Crime Squad, said the results highlighted how often they saw firearms offences occurring in conjunction with drug offences.
“Victoria Police will continue to cripple organised crime entities determined to line their pockets through illicit means and ultimately, to the severe detriment of the rest of our community,” he said.