Law enforcement agencies across Australia seized 523 firearms last week as part of a national week of action.
Operation Athena is designed to target the trafficking and use of illicit firearms throughout Australia and involves all policing jurisdictions as well as a number of Federal agencies including Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, AUSTRAC, Australian Taxation Office, Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Defence Force.
This year's week of action ran from 23-29 October.
Over the course of the week, the Illicit Firearms Squad, with assistance from VIPER Taskforce, local police and other specialist units, Australian Border Force and the Australian Federal Police, executed 33 search warrants and conducted 78 Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) compliance searches.
In Victoria, 80 firearms, 18 imitation firearms and 75 firearm parts were seized, 35 people were arrested and 189 charges were laid across the week. This included:
• A 34-year-old Montmorency man charged with a range of firearms and weapons offences, including possess traffickable quantity of unregistered firearms and four counts of manufacture longarm without a licence. Police seized eight homemade firearms (four of which were military-style weapons), two 3D printers, ammunition, firearm parts and several swords. A further 48 firearms were seized from an address in Macleod;
• A 21-year-old Bostocks Creek man was charged with two counts of possess firearm-related item when FPO applies, manufacture general category handgun without a licence, prohibited person possess firearm, possess general unregistered category handgun and possess ammunition without a licence. Police seized ammunition, a silencer and a homemade handgun;
• A 29-year-old Roxburgh Park man was served with a FPO. He was also charged with possess unregistered handgun, traffick drugs of dependence, possess property suspected of being proceeds of crime, possess cartridge ammunition, commit indictable offence whilst on bail and various other firearm and drug offences. Police seized $192,360 in Australian currency, a loaded handgun, ammunition, about 200 ecstasy tablets, a small quality of cannabis, prescription medication and 3D printed firearm parts;
• Police located two clandestine laboratories, one in Brunswick and one in Caulfield North;
• A 33-year-old Brunswick man was charged with possess methylamphetamine, traffick methylamphetamine, possess items for trafficking drugs of dependence, possess prescribed precursor chemical, possess explosives substance and theft of motor vehicle. Police seized approximately 4-5 grams of methylamphetamine, scientific glassware, numerous chemicals and unknown liquids, explosive substances, quantities of precursor chemicals commonly used to manufacture methylamphetamines and a stolen motor vehicle from his address;
Police also served 10 new Firearms Prohibition Orders, conducted 113 firearm storage compliance checks and six licensed firearm dealer audits.
A number of operational activities within Victoria arose from information provided as part of the current illicit firearms campaign run in conjunction with Crime Stoppers Victoria.
Victoria Police also worked closely with the Australian Border Force to target illegal importations of firearms, firearm parts and firearms accessories being imported into Australia.
Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly from the Victoria Police State Anti-Gangs Division said the trafficking and use of illicit firearms remains a key law enforcement issue across Australia.
"Firearms-related violence is one of the most significant issues we face, and we understand there is immense community concern when it comes to these weapons," he said.
"As we know, illicit firearms have traditionally been used in a range of violent crimes such as murder, shootings causing serious injuries, armed robbery, threats to kill, and extortion.
"Partnerships with federal and state law enforcement agencies are key because firearms-related crime is not only a problem here in our own jurisdiction, it's an issue nationally. A key part of this is reducing the flow of weapons into our state or country.
"The community should be reassured we are getting results - we're arresting people and charging them with serious offences, and we are continuing to seize illicit firearms from criminals every week.
"The results from the week of action - not just in Victoria but right across the country - are testament to the work that's being done by a number of agencies to target those involved with the trafficking and use of illicit firearms.
"Rest assured; the indiscriminate use of illicit firearms remains a key focus for Victoria Police and we are fully committed to targeting those involved in this type of offending and holding them to account."
Once issued, an FPO remains valid for 10 years for adults and five years for children.
Children are deemed to be aged between 14 and 17 years old.
During that time, anyone under an FPO is banned from acquiring, possessing, carrying or using any firearm or a related item, such as ammunition.
They are also banned from entering firearms dealers, shooting ranges or firearms clubs.
The penalties are also significant if an FPO is breached.
Those who breach an FPO can face 10 years' jail for acquiring, possessing, carrying or using a firearm or firearm-related item.
More than 1600 FPOs have been issued since they were introduced in May 2018 by Victoria Police.
Anyone with information about illicit firearms about is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
