Police have seized illegal firearms, ammunition, explosive devices, and drugs, resulting in the arrests of 15 people subject to Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) in Melbourne's bayside suburbs.
Investigators from the Caulfield Divisional Response Unit - with assistance from the Public Order Response Team (PORT) and general duties officers - conducted 30 compliance checks on people already known to authorities across Kingston and Glen Eira-Bayside, between 3 and 7 March.
During the searches, police seized a handgun, explosive devices, two swords and edged weapons, a significant amount of ammunition and stolen goods such as stolen number plates, as well as drugs, including a commercial quantity of amphetamine.
Thirteen men and two women - aged between 22 and 74 - were arrested and charged.
Of note:
• A handgun was located at a home in Bentleigh East. A 32-year-old man, who was the subject of an FPO, was arrested at the scene and charged with prohibited person possess firearm. He was bailed to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates' Court on 1 May.
• Police allegedly uncovered a 60g of amphetamine, a sword, slingshot and stolen property from a home in Clayton South. A 57-year-old man was arrested and charged with trafficking and possessing a commercial quantity of amphetamine. He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 7 March.
• A significant quantity of ammunition was allegedly seized from a home in Cheltenham. The 40-year-old male resident, who is prohibited from possessing firearm-related items was charged and bailed to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates' Court on 26 May.
• A 50-year-old Aspendale man was arrested on an outstanding warrant for failing to appear in court. During a search of his home, police allegedly located cannabis and flares. He was bailed to appear in Frankston Magistrates' court on 8 April.
• A 74-year-old man who was present during a compliance check on another person in Clarinda was charged with cultivating cannabis. He was bailed to appear in Moorabbin Magistrates' Court on 19 May.
Several others who are subject to an FPO are also expected to be charged for failing to inform police of a change in address.
Similar operations will be conducted in the future.
Anyone with information about illicit firearms is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
