MILDURA: 20 arrested in drugs sting
Police have arrested 20 people and laid 42 charges during a major police operation targeting outlaw motorcycle gang and organised criminal entities across north-west Victoria.
The operation – which ran from Monday -Friday (May 12-16)\ – saw Crime Command’s VIPER Taskforce team up with the Mildura Crime Investigation Unit and Divisional Response Unit to track down outlaw motorcycle gangs wanted for a range of offences in Mildura and Swan Hill.
During the week of action, police conducted 23 Firearm Prohibition Order compliance searches and executed five search warrants, targeting individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms.
Individuals subject to a FPO are prohibited from acquiring, possessing, carrying or using any firearm or firearm related item such as ammunition.
A further two FPOs were served.
The 20 arrests were made during the course of the week.
Eight firearms were also seized by police, along with five prohibited weapons, around $24,000 in cash and illicit drugs, including methylamphetamine, cocaine and cannabis
Some of those arrested and charged include:
n A 43-year-old man, a 40-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman all from Swan Hill for trafficking cannabis and methylamphet-amine. They were all charged and bailed to appear at Swan Hill Magistrates’ Court on August 19.
n A 60-year-old woman from Mildura for trafficking and possessing cannabis and methylamphetamine. She was charged and bailed to appear at Mildura Magistrates’ Court on July 14.
n A 41-year-old man from Mildura for handling stolen goods and possessing a drug of dependence. He was charged and bailed to appear at Mildura Magistrates’ Court on August 18.
n A 30-year-old man from Mildura for trafficking and possessing cannabis, cocaine, possessing proceeds of crime and possessing a prohibited weapon. He was charged and bailed to appear at Mildura Magistrates’ Court on August 18.
n A 32-year-old woman from Mildura for possessing a firearm, possessing cocaine, and dealing property suspected proceeds of crime. She was charged bailed to appear at Mildura Magistrates’ Court on August 19.
n A 43-year-old man from Swan Hill for possessing a drug of dependence, possessing an imitation firearm, possessing two prohibited weapons and theft. He was charged and bailed to appear at Swan Hill Magistrates’ Court on July 8.
n A 33-year-old man for possessing three imitation firearms, possessing drugs of dependence and possessing explosives. He was charged and bailed to appear at Swan Hill Magistrates’ Court on July 8.
Detective Inspector Craig Darlow, VIPER Taskforce, said:
“These operations show just how serious we are in tracking down outlaw motorcycle gangs and organised criminal entities to hold them to account for their offences and keep the community safe.
“Illicit firearms and drugs have no place in our communities – which is why we’ll continue working tirelessly with local police to remove them from the wrong hands before they cause harm.
“Our message is clear: if you’re involved in organised crime, you will be caught by police. There is nowhere you can hide.”
Inspector David Rowe, Mildura Investigation and Response Manager , said: “We’re coming down hard on serious crime in Mildura, especially those breaching Firearm Prohibition Orders.
“If you’re caught with an illegal firearm or illicit drugs, expect to face serious consequences.
“Just because we’re in Mildura doesn’t mean we’re on our own – we’ve got specialist police backing us in, and their impact has been huge.”