Detectives from the Illicit Firearms Squad have charged two people and seized six firearms, body armour, drugs, cash and firearm parts and ammunition as part of an investigation into the importation and manufacturing of firearms.
With assistance from Dog Squad, a Firearm Prohibition Order Compliance (FPO) search was conducted at a residential address in Preston on Wednesday, 2 October.
Investigators located a loaded homemade revolver containing six rounds of ammunition, a firearm magazine, approximately $17,000 cash, body armour with a hardened chest plate, traffickable quantities of what appear to be methylamphetamine, cocaine, ketamine, 1,4-Butanediol and a quantity of diazepam and a stolen 1998 Suzuki motorcycle at the property.
A 30-year-old Preston man was charged with trafficking drugs of dependence, prohibited person possess firearm, deal proceeds of crime and theft of motor vehicle.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 3 February.
A 31-year-old Preston woman was interviewed and released pending further enquiries.
Investigators later became aware of intelligence linking a storage unit in Preston to the 30-year-old man, despite it allegedly being rented under a false name.
On Thursday, 24 October, detectives executed a FPO compliance search at the storage unit.
They seized over 50 items, including a Beretta Fucile Speciale Rinforazato 12-gauge sawn-off single barrel shotgun, a sawn-off .22LR rifle with homemade suppressor fitted to muzzle, a privately made/manufactured double barrel .22LR pistol, a privately made/manufactured single barrel .22LR pistol, a hybrid privately made 3D printed pistol, various privately made firearm parts and magazines, a quantity of ammunition, commercial quantities of ecstasy, methylamphetamine and 1,4-Butanediol, traffickable quantities of ketamine and other powder substances and prescription medication.
The 30-year-old Preston man was further charged with 24 charges, including:
• Trafficking commercial quantities of methylamphetamine, ketamine, ecstasy and 1,4-Butanediol;
• Trafficking methylamphetamine, ketamine, ecstasy and 1,4-Butanediol
• Possess traffickable quantity of firearms
• Five counts of FPO holder possess unregistered firearm
• Two counts of possess imitation firearm, and
• Possess proceeds of crime.
On Monday, 4 November at approximately 2.25am, a burglary occurred at the storage unit.
A dark BMW X5 with a distinctive tow bar is captured on CCTV arriving at the address. The occupants used an angle grinder to access the storage unit, before fleeing the scene at a fast rate of speed, crashing through the exit gate and damaging the car. Nothing of significance was taken.
On Tuesday, 3 December, a search warrant was executed at another residential address in Preston.
Investigators located a quantity of cash and varying quantities of 1,4-Butanediol, methylamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and ketamine.
A 31-year-old Preston woman was arrested and subsequently charged with:
• Trafficking commercial quantities of methylamphetamine, ketamine, ecstasy and 1,4-Butanediol
• Trafficking methylamphetamine, ketamine, ecstasy and 1,4-Butanediol
• Possess traffickable quantity of firearms
• Five counts of possess unregistered firearm
• Two counts of possess imitation firearm
• Burglary, and
• Possess proceeds of crime.
She was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court today.
The BMW was later located in the Geelong area.
The investigation into the alleged burglary remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about illicit firearm activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
