VIPER Taskforce has charged two men overnight after locating drugs, cash and imitation firearms in a St Albans house during a Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) compliance search.
With the assistance of the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and the Dog Squad, members of the taskforce had been at the property executing the FPO search on a 29-year-old St Albans man.
During the search, police located five imitation firearms, in excess of $10,000 cash, a variety of drugs, including approximately 2kgs of cannabis and various quantities of what appear to be methylamphetamine, ecstasy and LSD, as well as other drug related paraphernalia.
A 29-year-old St Albans man was charged with five counts of prohibited person possess firearm, deal proceeds of crime, traffick cocaine, possess cannabis, commit indictable offence whilst on bail, contravene bail condition and fail to notify FPO Registry change of address.
He was remanded overnight to appear at Sunshine Magistrates' Court today.
A 28-year-old St Albans man was charged with possess cannabis, traffick cannabis and possess methylamphetamine.
He was bailed to appear at Sunshine Magistrates' Court on 11 July.
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 contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
Quotes attributable to Detective Acting Inspector, Warren Chapman, VIPER Taskforce:
"Any firearm seizure is satisfying because it has an immediate impact on community safety.
"Imitation firearms are almost identical in appearance to legitimate firearms and are often used to commit serious criminal offences. These weapons are not harmless toys - we regularly see these items used in serious and violent crimes which can terrify victims.
"This result highlights the commitment of VIPER Taskforce to ensuring these weapons can't do any further damage to the community by taking them out of the hands of criminals."
