Detectives from the Illicit Firearms Squad and Australian Border Force (ABF) officers seized guns, ammunition and other weapons after executing a search warrant in Glen Waverley yesterday morning. The investigation was launched after the ABF detected a silencer in a package imported by air cargo earlier in the month.
Police and ABF Investigators attended the Southdown Avenue address shortly after 7am on Thursday.
Detectives located two firearms, including a homemade sub machine gun, a quantity of ammunition, firearm parts and a number of other weapons.
A 53-year-old Glen Waverley man was charged with a range of weapons offences, including:
- Two counts non-prohibited person possess firearm
- Manufacture Cat E handgun without a licence (machine gun)
- Possess cartridge ammunition without licence
- Unlicensed person fail to store firearm in a secure manner
- Two counts possess silencer without a permit
- Possess traffickable quantity of firearms
- Possess prohibited weapon
He will face Ringwood Magistrates' Court on 31 March, 2022.
Anyone with information about illicit firearms is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Leigh Howse, Illicit Firearms Squad:
"This is a significant result for our investigators and demonstrates both our and the ABF's commitment to detecting and intercepting illicit firearms.
"These firearms will now be forensically examined and we can begin building a picture about how these guns came to be in the community, what offending they may have been involved in and what can we learn from each of these weapons to further disrupt the trafficking and use of illicit firearms in Victoria.
"Taking a firearm out of the hands of a unlicensed person, and making illicit firearms more difficult to obtain, are effective ways of preventing future offending and increasing public safety."
Quotes attributable to Acting Border Force Superintendent Uriah Turner, Regional Investigations VIC/TAS:
"The ABF remains committed to safeguarding the Australian community through the detection and disruption of the illicit firearms trade."
"This is a fantastic outcome and I congratulate all officers involved. The ABF will continue to work with the Illicit Firearms Squad and Victoria Police, to investigate and prosecute those who choose to engage in this type of criminal activity."
