Armed Crime Squad detectives have charged ten people and seized 22 firearms following an armed robbery at a licensed premises in Mulgrave in November last year.
With assistance from the Special Operations Group, Illicit Firearms Squad, VIPER Taskforce, Major Drug Squad, Eastern Region Crime Squad, North West Metro Regional Crime Squad, Cardinia Crime Investigation Unit and the Dog Squad seven warrants were executed yesterday afternoon at residential addresses in Clayton South, Roxburgh Park, Greenvale, Keysborough, Moorabbin and Rowville as well as a storage facility in Mordialloc.
Seven people were arrested overnight, including:
- A 29-year-old Clayton South man, charged with almost 40 firearms and drugs offences,
- A 30-year-old Clayton South man, charged with 25 firearms offences,
- A 29-year-old Keysborough man, charged with 30 firearms, drugs and handle stolen goods offences,
- A 31-year-old Rowville man, charged with 11 firearms, drugs and weapons offences,
- A 30-year-old Greenvale man, charged with 11 firearms and drug offences,
- A 28-year-old Moorabbin woman, charged with possess methylamphetamine and possess fireworks. She was bailed to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates' Court on 13 March, and
- A 30-year-old Rowville man who was issued with a cannabis caution.
The five men charged overnight will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court today.
Police also attended parkland in Mount Waverley after it was identified a military mortar shell had been buried there.
Three warrants were previously executed on Tuesday, 21 November at addresses in Oakleigh South, Clayton South and Highett.
A 28-year-old Oakleigh South man was charged with possess methylamphetamine, two counts of prohibited person possess firearm, possess unregistered general category handgun, possess ammunition and commit indictable offence on bail.
He was initially charged and remanded to appear at court on 10 January. Additional charges were issued on that date, and he was further remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 18 February.
A 31-year-old Oakleigh South woman was also arrested at the address for possess drugs of dependence. She was released and is expected to be charged on summons.
A 29-year-old Clayton South man was charged with prohibited person possess a firearm, possess unregistered general category handgun, two counts of handle stolen goods, possess ammunition, possess methylamphetamine, possess prohibited weapon and cultivate cannabis.
He was bailed to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates' Court on 28 February.
A further search warrant was executed at a Beaumaris address on Monday, 8 January 2024.
A 27-year-old Beaumaris man was arrested at the time and released pending further enquiries. He was charged on 10 January and summonsed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 24 January.
Over the course of investigation, police seized:
- Twenty-two firearms,
- Five imitation firearms,
- Firearm parts,
- Ammunition,
- An electronic jammer,
- Explosives,
- Drugs of dependence including liquid GHB, LSD, methylamphetamine, cannabis, and prescription drugs,
- Pepper spray,
- Knuckle dusters,
- 3D printed firearm parts,
- Stolen property including registration plates, and
- A small quantity of cash.
The charges follow an incident at a licensed premises on Dandenong Road in Mulgrave in the early hours of Friday, 3 November.
Investigators will allege two men, armed with handguns, entered the venue and demanded cash.
Two staff members and a small number of patrons inside the venue at the time were not physically harmed during the incident.
The two men left the venue with a small quantity of cash, before fleeing in a waiting vehicle.
Anyone with information on illicit firearms is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Mark Hatt, Armed Crime Squad:
"This is a clear message to anyone illegally carrying firearms: we will track down and charge those involved in the manufacture, trafficking, and use of illicit firearms.
"The arrests and seizures made over the course of this investigation are significant and a clear demonstration that our focus includes the affiliates and networks of those involved in this type of offending.
"We will continue to work tirelessly to prevent the access and use of illicit firearms, particularly by groups and criminals involved in serious and organised crime"
