A Springvale man is one of nine people arrested during a Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) operation across Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia last week.
The 27-year-old is accused of using a 3D printer to manufacture firearms before trafficking them throughout Melbourne.
During the operation, police also seized imitation firearms and crossbows, as they targeted people already known to police who are subject to an FPO in Melbourne's southeast.
Local police, including the Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia Crime Investigation Units, the Springvale Divisional Response Unit, and the Dandenong Crime Reduction Team, were supported by the VIPER Taskforce and Dog Squad.
Over three days, police:
- Conducted 16 FPO compliance checks
- Arrested nine people
- Seized several prohibited weapons, including two 3D printed handguns, three imitation firearms, cross bows, machetes, and a karambit knife
- Seized quantities of drugs, including methylamphetamine, 1,4-Butanediol, steroids and prescription medication
- Recovered one stolen vehicle
- Recovered stolen items totalling more than $100,000
- Seized almost $50,000.
Arrests of note include:
- Police executed an FPO warrant at a home on Warwick Avenue, Springvale. They allegedly discovered a large quantity of amphetamines in the loungeroom, as well as a 3D printer with evidence of recent use. With assistance from the Divisional Response and Crime Investigation Units, they located several drawers with false bottoms, and inside, found two 3D printed handguns and loaded magazines. Police also seized almost $50,000 cash, suspected to be the proceeds of crime. A 27-year-old man was arrested at the property and charged with 26 offences:
- Prohibited person possess firearm
- Traffick firearms
- Manufacture prohibited firearms
- Possess prohibited weapons
- Possessing and trafficking drugs of dependence
- Possess prescription medication
- Deal with property suspected to be proceeds of crime
- Handle stolen goods
- Fail to comply with request to access an electronic device
- Commit indictable offence whilst on bail.
He was remanded to appear in Dandenong Magistrates' Court on 6 October.
- Two men aged 27 and 53 were arrested during an FPO compliance search at a home on Duncan Drive, Pakenham, after officers located two machetes, a knife, a rifle scope, a revolver chamber, mace and cannabis. The pair was released pending enquiries.
- During an FPO search at a home in Doveton, police located an allegedly stolen vehicle, as well as a large quantity of items believed to have been stolen in a commercial burglary where more than $100,000 worth of property was stolen. A 21-year-old Glenroy woman was arrested at the scene. She was released pending further enquiries.
Similar operations will be conducted in the future.
Anyone with information about illicit firearms is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Dandenong Tasking Co-Ordination Unit Acting Senior Sergeant Greg Kahan:
"We conduct firearm prohibitions order compliance checks on people already known to police to ensure the safety of the community.
"Firearms in the wrong hands have deadly consequences, and any time we can take them off the street, we are reducing the chance of someone getting seriously injured or killed.
"Anyone who is subject to an FPO should be well aware that we conduct these operations regularly, but at random intervals, so expect a knock on your door at any time."
