Victoria Police's VIPER Taskforce and New South Wales' Raptor Squad have gathered for the third annual week of cross border operations targeting organised crime groups and Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCG) under Operation Blue Ember.
The units were assisted by both specialist and general duties officers from across both organisations, as well as the Air Wing, Dog Squad and the NSW Crime Commission.
The operation is a cross-border collaboration and commenced on Monday 28 April 2025 and will conclude today (Friday 2 May 2025), targeting organised criminal activity across northern Victoria and southern NSW.
During the week of action, VIPER Taskforce with the assistance of Wodonga and Echuca police executed a total of eight warrants, including 26 Firearm Prohibition Order compliance searches, made 26 arrests and laid 60 charges.
Police also seized ten firearms, two stolen vehicles, cash, ammunition and varying drugs of dependence.
Incidents of note included:
• On Sunday, 27 April, a warrant was executed at a Heathcote property. Two previously stolen motorbikes - a Honda stolen during a carjacking in Narre Warren in 2023 and a Harley Davidson stolen from a residential address in Springvale in 2022 were recovered.
A 31-year-old Heathcote man is expected to be charged on summons in relation to the offence of handle stolen goods.
• On Monday, 28 April, a search warrant was executed at a Wharparilla property. A semi automatic rifle, 816 rounds of improperly stored rounds, six registered firearms, 300 rounds and a small quantity of cannabis was seized.
A 42-year-old Wharparilla man was charged with possess illicit firearm, incorrect storage of ammunition and possess drug of dependence. His firearms licence was also suspended. He was bailed to appear at Echuca Magistrates' Court on 5 August.
• On Wednesday, 30 April, VIPER members assisted Cobram CIU with a search warrant in Strathmerton. A man and a woman, both 39 and from Strathmerton, were charged with a cumulative total of 24 offences, including traffick/possess methylamphetamine, possess prescription medication and theft.
The duo was bailed to appear at Cobram Magistrates' Court on 28 October.
• About 9.30am Monday (28 April 2025), operation officers conducted a FPO compliance check at a home on Wollamai Street, Finley. During the search officers allegedly located and seized a shotgun - hidden in a didgeridoo -, a rifle, ammunition, a knife, a lock picking kit and three cannabis plants. Following the search, police arrested a 58-year-old man before taking him to Finley Police Station. He was charged with two counts of acquire firearm - subject to prohibition order, two counts of not keep firearm safely - not pistol/prohibited firearm, acquire ammunition subject to prohibition order, use prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order, and cultivate prohibited plant. The man was granted conditional bail to appear before Finley Local Court on Tuesday 27 May 2025.
• About 7.15am Tuesday (29 April 2025), operation officers were patrolling the North Albury area when they attempted to stop a Holden hatchback travelling on Plover Street. When the driver failed to stop a pursuit was initiated; however, it was terminated shortly after due to safety concerns. A short time later, police located the car abandoned at a home on Captain Cook Drive, North Albury. During a search of the car, police allegedly located a replica firearm. Both the car and firearm were seized for forensic examination. Investigations into the incident are continuing.
• About 10.40am Monday (28 April 2025), operation officers conducted a FPO compliance check at a home on Victoria Street, Deniliquin. During the search, officers allegedly located and seized a 3D printer - which was being used to create a butterfly knife -, 41 cannabis seeds, small amounts of methylamphetamine, cannabis and two number plates. Inquiries are continuing.
• About 2.40pm Monday (28 April 2025), operation officers conducted a FPO compliance check at a home on Parkland Crescent, Lavington. During the search a 64-year-old man allegedly attempted to stop police from entering the home, refused to following directions and became aggressive with officers. He was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station, where he was charged with hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty. The man was granted conditional bail to appear before Albury Local Court on Wednesday 21 May 2025.
Victoria Police's Detective Inspector Craig Darlow, VIPER Taskforce said this operation is simply one example of how both agencies will continue to focus their attention on organised crime.
"This multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional operation highlights the importance and significant resources both Victoria Police and NSW Police are prepared to place on disrupting organised criminal groups from causing harm within our communities.
"Outlaw motorcycle gangs are recognised as having high levels of involvement in illicit drug importation, production and distribution, illicit firearms trafficking and money laundering as well as extreme violent crime.
"Alongside our partners and with specialist taskforces such as VIPER and Echo, we will continue to use our full range of capabilities to proactively target OMCGs and those people involved in organised crime at every opportunity.
"The message is simple: if you are involved in serious and or organised crime, we will be unrelenting in our mission to disrupt your activities and protect our community."
NSW Police Forces' Detective Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis, Commander of Raptor Squad, has praised the continued collaboration between Victoria and NSW Police.
"The relationship between Victoria and NSW Police has never been stronger, and interstate surge operations like Operation Blue Ember continue to strengthen that relationship.
"The combined efforts of both police forces have allowed authorities to saturate the border seizing dangerous weapons and taking violent people off our streets," Det Supt Koutsoufis said.
"I hope criminals start to get the message that they aren't safe from the legal consequences of their actions; however, for those who still don't get this message know that we will continue to run this operation and that they have the combined efforts of both Victoria and NSW Police Forces after them."
The VIPER Taskforce is a tactical and investigative unit based within Crime Command focused on preventing, detecting, deterring, disrupting and dismantling the criminal activities of groups such as outlaw motorcycle gangs, organised crime networks and street gangs.
The taskforce, which commenced in July 2022, supports the work of specialist investigation units and regional police by providing further investigation tactics and enforcement actions.
VIPER is an acronym for visibility, intelligence, prevention, enforcement and reassurance.
Anyone with information about organised criminal or illicit drug activity is urged to Anyone with information about OMCG or illicit firearm activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
