Imitation firearms, ammunition, drugs, cash and stolen property have been seized, and five people arrested, as police conducted a major police operation across Gippsland this week.
Operation Poseidon, saw Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit detectives and Crime Command's VIPER Taskforce, knock on the doors of 20 homes between Tuesday 6 and Thursday 8 February.
During the course of the operation, police conducted 19 Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) searches and a drug warrant across Gippsland.
Throughout the operation, police seized:
• A traffickable quantity of GHB
• Cannabis and Methylamphetamine
• Imitation firearms and cartridge ammunition
• Property allegedly stolen from burglaries including e-bikes, bank cards and copper wire
• Cash
• A vehicle allegedly used in an evade
Those arrested by police include:
• On 6 February, detectives attended a residential address in Morwell to conduct a FPO search. A 32-year-old Morwell man was arrested and charged with 10 offences including reckless conduct endangering life, evade police, unlicensed driving, possessing a drug of dependence, handling stolen goods and hindering police. The charges relate to an incident where detectives from Latrobe CIU were driving along Southern Road in Traralgon and observed a silver Ford Falcon sedan about 2:45am on Sunday 4 February. Police approached the vehicle before the driver allegedly accelerated and sped away from the scene. The alleged driver was seen travelling on the wrong side of the road and incorrectly through a roundabout. The man has subsequently been bailed to appear at Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court on Thursday 2 May.
• On 6 February, police executed a FPO search at a home in Newborough. Police located and seized an imitation firearm and ammunition. Charges are expected to be laid against a 66-year-old man.
• On 7 February, detectives conducted an FPO search at a property in Morwell. During the search, detectives allegedly located property that was stolen during an aggravated burglary, approximately $2500 cash, cannabis and methylamphetamine. A 37-year-old Morwell man was arrested and charged with 11 offences including handling stolen goods, dealing with the proceeds of crime and possessing methylamphetamine. He was bailed to appear at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court on Wednesday 1 May.
Since they were introduced in May 2018, Victoria Police has issued over 2100 FPOs across the state.
Once issued, an FPO remains in effect for 10 years for adults and five years for children, which is those between 14 and 17 years of age.
During that time, the individual is prohibited from acquiring, possessing, carrying or using any firearm or firearm related item such as ammunition.
They are also unable to enter a range of premises including firearms dealers, shooting ranges or firearms clubs.
The charges relating to FPOs are significant - 10 years imprisonment for acquiring, possessing, carrying or using a firearm or firearm related item.
Anyone with information about illicit firearm or drug activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Senior Sergeant Trevor Vondrasek - Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit.
"These operations keep the heat on those prohibited from possessing a firearm due to their criminal history and associations.
"Firearm Prohibition Orders are an important tool that make it difficult for these people to access, use and store firearms or be in areas where there are known to be firearms in order to keep the community safe."
"We will continue to lean on specialist resources such as the VIPER Taskforce to help dismantle crime syndicates and remove illicit firearms from our streets.
"Anyone who breaches their Firearms Prohibition Order can expect a visit from us, and to be held accountable for putting others in harm's way."
