Detectives from the Armed Crime Squad have today charged two men as part of their investigation into a non-fatal shooting in Ballarat last week.
With assistance from the VIPER Taskforce and Ballarat Crime Investigation Unit, search warrants were executed this afternoon at two residential addresses in Winter Valley.
A 30-year-old Winter Valley man was arrested by the Special Operations Group as he attempted to run from the address.
Investigators seized a loaded sawn off .22 calibre rifle, ammunition and a small quantity of what appears to be methylamphetamine from his address.
The man was charged with prohibited person possess firearm, possess cartridge ammunition, possess methamphetamine and possess ecstasy.
A 49-year-old Winter Valley man was charged with possess firearm in contravention of a firearms prohibition order, possess firearm related item in contravention of a firearms prohibition order (ammunition), traffick methylamphetamine, possess methylamphetamine and possess cannabis.
Police seized a loaded sawn off .22 calibre rifle located in a wall cavity, ammunition and small quantities of cannabis (both plants and dried) from his address.
The duo will appear at Ballarat Magistrates' Court tomorrow (3 July).
The charges follow an incident where a 42-year-old man self-presented to a hospital in Ballarat with a non-life threatening gunshot wound to his lower leg on Monday, 23 June.
Police believe the parties involved were known to each other.
Anyone with information on illicit firearm activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
