VIPER Taskforce detectives have charged a man and seized body armour, OC spray, a firearm, cash, drugs, weapons, Rolex watches and taser pens as part of an investigation into firearms trafficking linked to serious and organised crime.
Police received information in December last year to suggest firearms were being stored and drugs trafficked out of an address in Newport.
Two search warrants were executed yesterday (Monday, 19 January) at residential addresses in Newport and Docklands.
A search of the Docklands address located a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, traffickable quantities of cannabis, ketamine, cocaine and MDMA, 20 taser pens, two Rolex watches, a quantity of cash and varying quantities of Xanax, Oxycodone, Valium, ecstasy and other prescription drugs.
A commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, a loaded Colt 41 revolver with six rounds of .41 calibre ammunition, 12 cans of OC spray, five body armour vests, varying quantities of GHB, steroids, MDMA, a stamp for a doctor (general practitioner) and various knives and knuckledusters were seized from the Newport property.
A 31-year-old Newport man was charged with a total of 26 offences, including:
- Two counts of trafficking a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine,
- Possession of an unregistered handgun,
- Trafficking in drugs of dependence including cannabis, cocaine, ketamine and MDMA;
- Possession of GHB;
- Eleven counts of possession of prescription medication;
- Deal property suspected proceeds of crime;
- Possess body armour without approval;
- Possess ammunition without a licence;
- Three counts of possession of prohibited weapons;
- Five counts of unlicensed driving; and
- Fail to assist police under warrant.
He was remanded overnight to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court today.
Two people, a 25-year-old man from Brighton and a 25-year-old woman from Sandringham, attended the Dockland address during the warrant - a search of the man located a flick knife and a homemade taser, while the woman was found to be in possession of Xanax tablets.
Both are expected to be charged on summons.
Anyone with information on illicit firearms or drugs linked to serious and organised crime is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an anonymous report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
