Detectives from Taskforce Lunar have charged a woman after police seized firearms and explosives as part of an ongoing investigation into a serious organised crime group.
On Friday 15 August, Broadmeadows police executed a warrant at a Campbellfield factory and located a stolen vehicle bearing cloned number plates.
During a search of the vehicle, detectives located seven firearms including a Remington 30-06 bolt action rifle, a Predator 12-gauge shotgun, a loaded automatic 'AR' style rifle, a Remington 30-06 pump action rifle, a loaded .44 calibre revolver handgun, two semi-automatic handguns, and various types of ammunition.
They also found a large number of explosives, chemicals and equipment.
Members of the Arson and Explosives Squad and Bomb Response Unit also attended the scene.
Police believe the quantity of explosives seized had the potential to completely demolish a building.
On Tuesday 23 September, detectives from Taskforce Lunar executed two search warrants at residential addresses in Doreen and Dandenong.
A number of mobile phones, cloned numberplates and cash were seized from the Doreen address.
A 32-year-old Dandenong woman was arrested and interviewed by police.
She was subsequently charged with the following:
- Possess traffickable quantity of unregistered firearms;
- Possess/carry/use unregistered Cat A or B longarm;
- Possess/carry/use unregistered Cat C or D longarm;
- Possess/carry/use unregistered general category handgun;
- Possess cartridge ammunition without licence;
- Possess explosive substance; and
- Theft of motor vehicle.
The woman will face Melbourne Magistrates' Court today.
Detectives will allege that the woman was transporting and storing the items on behalf of a serious organised crime group with links to offshore organised entities.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with further information 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, Taskforce Lunar:
"The number of high powered firearms and quantities of explosive materials seized is incredibly concerning for police and highlights the significant criminality of this crime syndicate.
"These are items that could have wreaked immense destruction in our community and resulted in the deaths of large numbers of people, so we are thankful we have been able to seize them.
"Ultimately, these are the items that the profits of illicit tobacco are being used to purchase. So while it might seem harmless to buy these items, the money is being used to fund incredibly serious and harmful offending.
"If there is anyone out there who has further information about this matter, I urge you to provide that information to police."
