Echo Taskforce detectives yesterday charged six people, one a former patched member of the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG), and seized four firearms, two imitation firearms and various drugs of dependence following an investigation in drug and firearm trafficking in Melbourne.
Members from the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) arrested a 26-year-old Melton at his home address around 7am on Thursday morning (3 April).
With assistance from the VIPER Taskforce, North West Metro Regional Crime Squad, Melton Crime Investigation Unit and Dog Squad, five simultaneous search warrants were then executed at 7am at residential addresses in Melton (4) and Diggers Rest.
Six people were arrested, including:
- A 26-year-old Melton man, a former patched member of the Rebels OMCG, who was charged with two counts of traffick large commercial quantity drug of dependence (GHB and methylamphetamine) and possess proceeds of crime,
- A 51-year-old Melton man, who was charged with two counts of traffick large commercial quantity GHB, possess drugs of dependence and possess proceeds of crime,
- A 47-year-old Melton woman, who was charged with traffick large commercial quantity GHB and cultivate cannabis,
- A 30-year-old Diggers Rest man, who was charged with possess traffickable quantity firearms, possess ammunition and possess imitation firearm
The 30-year-old Diggers Rest man appeared before Melbourne Magistrates' Court last night and was bailed to appear at Sunshine Magistrates' Court on 8 May.
The other three will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court today.
- A 34-year-old Melton man who was charged with possess cocaine and possess proceeds of crime.
He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 29 April.
- A 48-year-old Melton man was charged with cultivate cannabis. He was bailed to appear at Sunshine Magistrate' Court on 1 August.
During the course of the eight-month investigation, 49 litres of GHB and six ounces of methylamphetamine have been previously seized.
Investigators seized one shotgun, two rifles, a modified revolver, an assault rifle gel blaster, ammunition, four rifle scopes, two firearm magazines and a large quantity of unknown tablets from the Diggers Rest address.
A gel blaster, quantities of methylamphetamine and cannabis, a quantity of cash, an Autel device and false registration plate were seized from on the of the Melton addresses.
A small quantity of cocaine, four litres of GHB, small quantities of methylamphetamine and cannabis, large quantities of green vegetable matter, cash, and eight marijuana plants were seized from the other three Melton addresses.
Anyone with information about illicit drug trafficking or OMCG activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
