Crime syndicate hit in raids across west

Police make arrests at Paringa Drive in St Albans in an investigation that targeted a drug trafficking syndicate. Picture: Jason South

Guns, a samurai sword, cash and drugs were among the haul of property seized from an organised crime syndicate in police raids across Victoria early this morning.

Ten search warrants were executed in Essendon, Airport West, Kurunjang, Maribyrnong, Caroline Springs, Braybrook, Altona, St Albans, Kings Park and Corop in northern Victoria.

North West Metro Regional Crime squad detectives arrested eight people in relation to drug and firearm offences including a 26-year-old Caroline Springs man who was remanded to appear at court at a later date.

raid 2

A 30-year-old Kurunjang man and 36-year-old Altona man were also arrested and are assisting police with their investigation.

Four men and a woman from Essendon, Greenvale and Townsville in Queensland were also arrested.

Two firearms, two imitation handguns, a homemade firearm, a samurai sword, approximately $4000 cash and drugs including methylamphetamine, cannabis and cannabis plants were all seized during the warrants.

Large amounts of property were also seized including cars, laptops, heavy machinery, quad bikes and hard drives

with The Age


POLICE SEIZED:

  • Sixteen guns including a military grade Theron sub-machinegun, believed to be only one of two found by Victorian police. It was recovered at a house in Rockbank in January.
  • 1.5 kilograms of ice, equivalent to more than a million dollars’ worth.
  • Two clandestine laboratories, a heroin press and a cannabis crop house that was allegedly at the home of the former officer.
  • Fluoroamphetamine​, a rare illegal stimulant, in a bathtub at the Rockbank unit three associates frequented.