Detectives from the Gang Crime Squad have arrested eight men this week as part of a proactive investigation into an organised crime syndicate with international links operating in Victoria.
Search warrants were executed this morning across Melbourne's northern suburbs, including residential properties in Lalor (2) and Airport West, as well as two factories in Epping.
Six people people were arrested at the addresses including:
- A 28-year-old Lalor man;
- A second 28-year-old Lalor man;
- A 27-year-old Lalor man;
- A 42-year-old Airport West man;
- A 24-year-old Canberra man; and
- A 27-year-old NSW man.
Five of the men are currently being interviewed by police in relation to a range of drug and firearms offences.
The Airport West man has been released pending further enquiries.
Police seized a range of items from the properties including three firearms, a commercial quantity of cocaine, ammunition, firearm parts, cash, vehicles and a detonator cord.
Almost 50 mobile phones, SIM cards and laptops were also seized and these will now be forensically analysed.
Shortly after 2.40am yesterday (20 January), police attempted to intercept a vehicle near the intersection of Moore Road and Sexton Street in Airport West.
The occupants in the white Kia sped away from police, however were followed by a number of units including the Air Wing.
A short time later the vehicle was dumped on Gaffney Street in Pascoe Vale and a number of people ran from the car into nearby Raeburn Reserve.
Two Sydney men, aged 22 and 21, were arrested in the reserve and both were wearing balaclavas at the time.
They were interviewed by police and subsequently charged with the following offences:
- Aggravated recklessness - exposure of police officers to risk of driving motor vehicle;
- Dangerous driving while being pursued by police;
- Negligent driving while being pursued by police;
- Theft of motor vehicle;
- Possess unregistered handgun;
- Possess ammunition without a licence;
- Going equipped to steal/cheat; and
- Fraudulently use registration label/plate.
The men faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court today and are currently remanded in custody pending a new bail application date.
The white Kia is alleged to have been stolen and was bearing cloned plates.
A search of the vehicle and nearby area uncovered a handgun, ammunition, a conducted energy device, cable ties, jerry cans and small explosive devices.
A woman walking her dog through Raeburn Reserve about 7.25am yesterday also located a firearm and later dropped it off at Fawkner police station.
The investigation by Gang Crime Squad, using significant intelligence gained by Taskforce Lunar, commenced in December last year with a particular focus on syndicate members involved in the trafficking of drugs and firearms.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Graham Banks, Gang Crime Squad:
"You only need to consider the items seized by police as part of this investigation to understand how significant and how violent the offending perpetrated by this organised crime group is.
"Five firearms, other weapons and explosive devices that could have been used to wreak immense harm in our community, and based on the circumstances of yesterday's arrests, almost certainly would have resulted in the loss of life.
"Investigations such as this highlight the significant criminality that these serious and organised crime groups are engaged in and the threat they pose to innocent members of the public.
"The proactive targeting of these groups by the Gang Crime Squad, Taskforce Lunar and Victoria Police more broadly remains the utmost priority, regardless of how circumstances may change either here in Victoria or off-shore.
"This week's arrests are incredibly important for detectives and we're hopeful that the forensic analysis of the electronic items seized provides us with further avenues of enquiry.
"If there is anyone out there who has further information about this matter, I urge you to provide that information to police and as always this can be done confidentially."
