Detectives from the Illicit Firearms Squad have arrested nine people and seized six firearms following an investigation into an organised crime syndicate allegedly trafficking firearms and drugs across Melbourne's eastern suburbs.
With assistance from the VIPER Taskforce, Armed Crime Squad, Vehicle Crime Squad, Croydon Divisional Response Unit and the Yarra Ranges, Ballarat and Maroondah Crime Investigation Units, nine warrants were executed this morning at properties in Lilydale, Boronia, Kilsyth South, Boronia, Ringwood North, Burwood East, Vermont South, The Basin and Scarsdale.
The Special Operations Group arrested a 41-year-old Lilydale man without incident early this morning at his Lilydale address.
Eight other people have been arrested, including:
• A 42-year-old Burwood East man,
• A 23-year-old Boronia man,
• A 23-year-old Kilsyth South man,
• A 24-year-old Boronia man,
• A 53-year-old Ringwood North man,
• A 39-year-old Scarsdale man, and
• A 29-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man, both from Vermont South, were arrested in relation to separate offending.
All will now be interviewed by police.
During the searches, investigators located six firearms, ammunition, various quantities of cannabis (both dried and in plant form), and a quantity of cash.
The investigation remains ongoing.
The Illicit Firearms Squad is based within Victoria Police's Crime Command and targets the manufacture, trafficking and use of illicit firearms across Victoria.
Anyone with information about illicit firearms is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Julie Macdonald, Illicit Firearms Squad:
"Our message to anyone in possession of an illicit firearm is simple - use the option of the permanent firearms amnesty to surrender unregistered firearms to law enforcement, without penalty or threat of criminal liability, before we come knocking on your door.
"The job of the illicit Firearms Squad is to make the community safer through targeted operations regarding offending such as firearms trafficking and manufacture.
"We will continue to work tirelessly to prevent access to and the use of illicit firearms, particularly by groups and criminals involved in serious and organised crime."
