A man and woman are facing over 30 serious charges, after officers from the Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia Achilles Taskforce uncovered a cache of firearms and weapons during raids on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old male and 23-year-old female, both from Bayswater North, are also facing the unique charge of setting a trap to cause serious injury, with police to allege the outer fencing of their address was deliberately manipulated with hundreds of metal nails to inflict serious injury.
Investigators originally commenced investigating the duo in relation to a hoon driving event in Licola Crescent, Dandenong South on 11 April 2023.
After investigating this event and further alleged criminal activity, investigators executed an early morning search warrant at an Anderson Close, Bayswater North address on Wednesday.
During the search of the address, police seized:
• A loaded handgun, as well as handgun ammunition and shotgun cartridges.
• 12 prohibited weapons, including nine knuckledusters, two extendable batons and a flick knife.
• Alleged proceeds of crime, including a $40,000 Rolex watch, $10,000 diamond bracelet, and $27,750 in cash.
• An ounce of white powder believed to be cocaine.
The 21-year-old male and 23-year-old female, both from Bayswater North, were arrested and charged with 31 offences each, including possess unregistered handgun, possess loaded firearm with reckless disregard for safety, unlicensed person fail to store firearms and ammunition in a secure manner, set trap to cause serious injury, trafficking cocaine, 12 counts of possessing a prohibited weapon, and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime.
They were both bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates' Court on 30 April 2024.
It is anticipated further charges will be laid in relation to the hoon driving event from 11 April at a later date.
A 19-year-old female and 21-year-old male from Rowville were also arrested but have been released pending enquiries.
Quotes attributable to Sergeant Paul Holtzinger, Greater Dandenong, Casey, and Cardinia Achilles Taskforce
"There is no doubt the community is a safer place when firearms and prohibited weapons are in the hands of police and on their way to being destroyed.
"While our team is dedicated to investigating hoon drivers in Melbourne's south-east, we are also uncovering further criminal offending as a result of these investigations and holding offenders to account."
