Police have arrested four patched members of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) and seized 47 firearms and four 3D printers allegedly being used to manufacture firearms.
The investigation commenced following the alleged burglary and theft of 17 firearms in Western Victoria on 21 April 2025.
Yesterday morning, detectives from the Western Region Crime Squad - with assistance from the Illicit Firearms Squad, Vehicle Crime Squad, Ballarat Crime Investigation Unit and Divisional Response Unit - executed four warrants at properties in Wendouree, Mount Pleasant, Delacombe, and Snake Valley.
During the warrants, police located 47 illicit firearms, including 15 firearms that had been reported stolen.
Police also seized:
- 16 handguns
- Eight stolen rifles
- Seven stolen shotguns
- 13 dismantled longarms
- Three imitation firearms
- Two stolen gun safes
- Four 3D printers allegedly used to manufacture firearms
- Large quantities of ammunition
- Two ounces of cocaine with an estimated street value of $20,000
- Two ounces of Amphetamine with an estimated street value of $15,000
- $29,000 cash
Those arrested include:
- A 27-year-old Wendouree man who was charged with:
- Burglary
- Theft of firearms
- Manufacture firearms
- Possess equipment to manufacture firearms
- Possess traffickable amount of firearms
- Possess handguns
- Traffick drug of dependence
- Possess proceeds of crime
He was remanded to appear at Ballarat Magistrates Court on 29 September.
- A 26-year-old Mount Pleasant man who was charged with:
- Possess traffickable quantity of firearms
- Possession of a trafficable quantity of unregistered firearms
- Prohibited person possess a firearm (5)
- Manufacture general category handgun without licence
- Possess equipment to manufacture firearm
- Possess firearm parts for manufacture
- Possess ammunition without a licence
- Possess drug of dependence.
He was remanded to appear at Ballarat Magistrates' Court on 29 September.
- A 32-year-old Snake Valley man who was charged with:
- Possess handgun
- Possess traffickable amount of firearms
- Possess drug of dependence.
He was bailed to appear at the Ballarat Magistrates Court on 16 October.
- A 27-year-old Mount Pleasant man was released pending further enquiries.
Anyone with information about illicit firearms, drugs, or OMCG activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Matthew Kershaw - Western Region Crime Squad:
"This is one of the largest firearm seizures we have seen in Western Victoria and it has stopped dozens of weapons from falling into the wrong hands."
"Firearms in the hands of alleged criminals fuel violence, intimidation and fear in our community. Every illicit firearm seized is one less weapon that could be used to cause harm.
"The 3D printing set-up we uncovered was extremely sophisticated. The idea that firearms can be manufactured on demand in this way is incredibly concerning it is illegal to manufacture firearms without a licence, and that includes 3D printed guns.
"Those who are involved with manufacturing or possessing firearms can be certain of one thing - it's only a matter of time before they are caught."
