Locals busted in firearm trafficking bust

11 men were arrested and multiple firearms were seized as part of the police operation on Thursday. 137393_09

Detectives from the Illicit Firearms Squad have seized firearms, drugs, proceeds of crime and arrested 11 people, including a Pakenham man and a Nar Nar Goon man, as part of an investigation into the trafficking of illicit firearms in the Latrobe Valley.

These arrests and seizures formed part of a targeted four-month investigation into a criminal syndicate alleged to have been involved in the trafficking of illicit firearms and drugs in the state’s east.

The investigation was a joint effort between police officers from multiple units, including the Illicit Firearms Squad, Eastern Region Crime Squad, Latrobe Valley Crime Investigation Unit, Morwell Divisional Response Unit, Cardinia Crime Investigation Unit, Southern Metro Division 3 Divisional Response Unit and the Dog Squad, as well as the AFP National Anti-Gangs Squad (NAGS).

On Thursday 25 November, police executed 10 search warrants at properties in Yarragon, Trafalgar, Labertouche, two properties in Moe, Pakenham, Warragul, Drouin, Nar Nar Goon and Narracan after their extensive investigations.

Officers subsequently seized firearms, firearm-related items, ammunition, prohibited weapons, drugs including methylamphetamine, cocaine, 1,4 Butanediol and steroids, and a significant amount of cash.

In total, 11 people were arrested as part of the operation.

A 27-year-old Nar Nar Goon man was interviewed and released in relation to weapon offences, while a 44-year-old Pakenham man was arrested regarding an outstanding warrant and was bailed to appear at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 11 February 2022.

The nine other men arrested include a 37-year-old Yarragon man, who was charged with a range of offences including trafficking firearms and trafficking a drug of dependence and a 63-year-old Narracan man, who was charged with offences including trafficking firearms and cultivating cannabis.

Both men faced the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and were remanded.

A 34-year-old Moe man was charged with offences including trafficking firearms and theft, while a 40-year-old man also from Moe was charged with firearms trafficking offences.

The 34-year-old man appeared at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and was remanded, while the 40-year-old was bailed and will appear at Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on 13 April 2022.

A 40-year-old Drouin man was charged with multiple counts of trafficking a drug of dependence and possessing proceeds of crime.

He faced Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and was also remanded.

A 52-year-old Warragul man was charged with possessing methylamphetamine and trafficking a drug of dependence and a 42-year-old Labertouche man was charged with firearm trafficking offences.

The Labertouche man was bailed and will face the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on April 14 2022.

Another Labertouche man, a 54-year-old, was interviewed in relation to drug matters and has been released pending further enquiries; while a 37-year-old Moe man received a drug diversion.

Four Firearm Prohibition Orders (FPOs) were also served as part of the operation.

Firearm Prohibition Orders are an integral enforcement tool that provide police with specific powers to proactively respond to, disrupt and prevent firearm-related crime in Victoria and keep the community safe.

Once issued, an FPO remains in effect for 10 years for adults and five years for children (those aged between 14 and 17 years).

During that time, the individual is prohibited from acquiring, possessing, carrying or using any firearm or firearm related item such as ammunition.

They are also unable to enter a range of premises including firearms dealers, shooting ranges or firearms clubs.

The charges relating to FPOs are significant – 10 years imprisonment for acquiring, possessing, carrying or using a firearm or firearm related item.

Since they were introduced in May 2018, Victoria Police has issued over 1200 FPOs across the state.

Detective Superintendent Peter Brigham from the State Anti-Gangs Division, Crime Command said that this successful operation was a great result for Victoria Police.

“The Illicit Firearms Squad is dedicated to removing firearms such as these from our streets and making the Victorian community safer,” Det. Sup. Brigham said.

“Seizing this number of firearms and firearm related items is a great outcome for community safety.

“We know illicit firearms often feature heavily in some of our most serious and violent crimes such as homicides, armed robberies, aggravated burglaries and family violence offending, as well as within the drug trade.

“Rest assured, we will target those involved and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure we further disrupt the trafficking and use of illicit firearms in Victoria,” he said.

Anyone with information about illicit firearm activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to crimestoppersvic.com.au