NSW and Victorian police have gathered for the fourth annual week of cross border operations targeting Organised Criminal Networks (OCNs) and Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCG) under Operation Blue Ember.
Operation Blue Ember is a joint between NSW Police Force's State Crime Command's Raptor Squad and Victoria Police's VIPER Taskforce. They are assisted by both specialist and general duties officers from across both organisations and the NSW Crime Commission.
The operation commenced on Monday 4 May 2026 and will conclude today (Friday 8 May 2026), targeting organised criminal activity across Albury, Wagga Wagga, and Northern Victoria.
In NSW, police arrested 20 people resulting in 35 offences, seized five prohibited weapons, three replica pistols, two explosives, ammunition and drugs with a street value of $22,000.
Police also conducted 31 Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) compliance checks, arrested and charged two wanted people, 57 traffic infringement notices, eight defect notices and 13 positive roadside drug tests.
NSW Police Forces' Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy, Commander of Raptor Squad, has commended the collaborative effort and results of the five-day operation.
"This operation is built on intelligence, precision and strong cross-border cooperation. Organised crime groups don't recognise state boundaries, and neither do we when it comes to dismantling their activities," Det A/Supt Brad Abdy said.
"The arrests, seizures and compliance checks conducted this week reflect the capability of our combined teams and our commitment to disrupting criminal networks at every level."
"The results this week show the strength of our partnership with Victoria Police's VIPER Taskforce. Together, we are disrupting criminal networks, removing weapons from our communities, and holding offenders to account."
Incidents of note:
- About 10am on Monday 4 May 2026, operation officers conducted a FPO compliance check at a home in Lavington. Police spoke with a 50-year-old man before he allegedly left the scene. He was arrested after a short foot pursuit, where he sustained minor injuries. Police executed a crime scene warrant, allegedly seizing 15 grams of LSD, one gram of methylamphetamine and cloned number plates. The man was treated at Albury Hospital before he was taken to Albury Police Station, where he was charged with supply prohibited drug >= large commercial quantity, destroy or damage property, hinder/resist law enforcement officer in execution of duty and enter prescribed premises of any person without lawful excuse. He was refused bail and appeared at Bail Division Local Court on Tuesday 5 May 2026, where he was further refused bail to appear at Albury Local Court on Tuesday 30 June 2026.
- About 8am on Monday 4 May 2026, operation officers conducted an FPO compliance check at a home in North Albury. During the search, police allegedly seized knuckle dusters, a knife, three replica pistols, 3g of cannabis and 2g of methylamphetamine. A 36-year-old man was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station where he was charged with three counts of possess prohibited drug, three counts of acquire prohibited firearm-subject prohibition order, two counts of use prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order, recklessly deal with proceeds of crime >$5000 and fail to comply digital evidence access order direction. He was refused bail and faced Bail Division Local Court on Tuesday 5 May 2026, where he was granted conditional bail to appear at Albury Local Court on Wednesday 20 May 2026.
- About 11.30am on Tuesday 5 May 2026, operation officers attended a unit complex in South Albury following reports a man wanted in Victoria had crossed the border. During a search of the property, a 33-year-old man was found hiding in a roof cavity. Following a short standoff with police, the man was taken to Albury Hospital to be treated for injuries to his eye. He has since been charged with apprehension on warrant issued in another state and extradited to Victoria.
- About 11.20am on Monday 4 May 2026, operation officers conducted a FPO compliance check at a home in North Albury. During the search, police allegedly seized ammunition including a shot gun cartridge. A suspected explosive device was also uncovered and rendered safe at the advice of the Rescue & Bomb Disposal Unit (RDBU). A 44-year-old man was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station where he was charged with acquire ammunition subject to prohibition order, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority and hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty. He was refused bail and appeared at Bail Division Local Court on Tuesday 5 May 2026, where he was granted conditional bail to appear at Albury Local Court on Tuesday 19 May 2026.
- About 11.50am on Wednesday 6 May 2026, operation officers conducted a FPO compliance check at a home in Lloyd, near Wagga Wagga. Police spoke with a 43-year-old man before he allegedly assaulted a Senior Constable. He was arrested and taken To Wagga Wagga Police Station, where he was charged with assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm and two counts of hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty. He was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Local Court yesterday (Thursday 7 May 2026) where he was granted conditional bail to appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court on Wednesday 20 May 2026.
Anyone with information that may assist investigations into organised criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
