Seven people were arrested and hundreds of vehicles were checked over the weekend as part of a police operation designed to disrupt organised crime and the transport of drugs and weapons on the road network.
Operation Hornets is coordinated by the North West Metro Regional Crime Squad with support from VIPER Taskforce, Air Wing, Dog Squad, local uniform police and Highway Patrol officers.
Over the course of three nights from Friday to Sunday (19 - 21 August), police saturated Melbourne's northern suburbs and utilised Automatic Numberplate Recognition (ANPR) Technology to identify offenders with links to serious crimes, subject to Firearm Prohibition Orders (FPOs) or with a history of dangerous driving behaviour.
Over 25,300 vehicles were scanned by ANPR technology throughout the operation, with a total of 80 vehicles linked to organised crime checked by police. Approximately 1,800 other checks occurred throughout the operation, including vehicles that had outstanding driving matters or whereabouts.
Vehicles travelling along major arterials and main roads across suburbs including Broadmeadows, Coburg, Craigieburn, Fawkner, Glenroy and Tullamarine were the focus of the operation.
As a result of ANPR scanning, the following offences were identified:
• A blue Audi sedan was intercepted at the intersection of Ripplebrook Drive and Johnstone Street, Jacana on Saturday night. Police conducted a search of the vehicle, locating a quantity of what is believed to be cocaine and an imitation firearm. The driver was subsequently charged with weapon and drug offences.
• A Mercedes coupe was intercepted in Maffra Street, Coolaroo on Saturday evening. The driver was identified as an alleged disqualified driver and returned a positive roadside drug test. The car was impounded by police, and the male driver is expected to be charged on summons with driving offences.
• Police attempted to intercept a blue Toyota Camry on Sydney Road, just before midnight on Sunday. The vehicle came to a stop, but when officers started to exit their car, the driver allegedly drove off at high speed, up to approximately 80km/h. The Air Wing observed the vehicle from above and tracked it to Rose Street where the three occupants fled the vehicle and walked away. Police attended Rose Street and arrested two females in the street, and a male who was allegedly attempting to hide from police in a front yard.
A 32-year-old woman, the alleged driver, was charged with a range of serious driving offences including evade police. A 42-year-old man was also charged with drug possession.
In addition to this, several other offences were also detected and disrupted throughout the operation, including:
• Air Wing observed a motorcycle travelling at high speed on Cooper Street in Epping on Friday evening. The motorcycle was tracked to a service station on Sunraysia Drive where police units arrived. The motorcycle was impounded by police and the rider is expected to be charged on summons for serious traffic offences.
• Police attempted to intercept a Mitsubishi Lancer sedan on Ballarat Road in Maidstone on Saturday evening, before the vehicle allegedly drove off and evaded police. The driver allegedly got out and changed the registration plates. Police attended the registered owner's home and spoke to the alleged driver, who is expected to be charged on summons for evading police, displaying false numberplates and other traffic offences. The car was also impounded.
The operation will continue with more activity planned in the near future.
Anyone with information about criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link.
Quotes attributable to North West Metro Regional Crime Inspector Patrick Watkinson:
"We are constantly assessing our methods and creating new strategies to disrupt criminals and stop them in their tracks."
"Anyone who makes a conscious decision to evade police can expect to receive our full attention - we have eyes in the sky and on the ground to track cars that drive off from police."
"When offenders are identified, we respond en masse and ensure they are swiftly arrested for any offences, whether it's carrying illegal weapons or drugs, evading police or speeding."
