Five tonnes of illegal fireworks seized ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations
Five tonnes of pyrotechnics with an estimated street value of $500,000 have been seized in raids across Melbourne’s north.
Victoria
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A huge cache of illegal fireworks seized by police is believed to have been destined for suburban Melbourne New Year’s Eve celebrations.
A crime syndicate which had stockpiled them is suspected of trading fireworks potentially worth millions of dollars and guns before detectives from the arson and explosives squad made their move.
They seized five tonnes of the pyrotechnics with an estimated street value of $500,000 during a series of raids this month.
The fireworks were commercially produced with names like “Lockdown Madness” and Avalanche.
An investigation was launched in September, 2021, when it was discovered illegal commercial fireworks were being sold on social media.
Searches of a home in Meadow Heights and a business in Campbellfield uncovered the five tonnes of pyrotechnics.
A 55-year-old Meadow Heights man alleged to be supplying to an illegal syndicate was later charged with possessing an explosive substance, unauthorised transportation of an explosive substance and unauthorised storage of explosive substance.
He will face Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court in May.
Three other men, a 22-year-old from Dallas, a 38-year-old from Craigieburn and a 34-year-old also from Craigieburn were charged earlier this year as part of the same inquiry.
About 350kg of commercial fireworks, prohibited weapons, drugs, cash, a stolen trailer and a motorcycle were confiscated.
Detective Insp. Mark Burnett of the arson and explosives squad said commercial fireworks were classed as explosives and banned from use by the public because of the risk to the untrained.
He said the protracted investigation had resulted in one of the state’s biggest seizures.
“Alongside the risk of serious danger or death, fireworks are unpredictable and volatile items that can result in fires, both grassfires and bushfires, as well as causing substantial property damage,” Insp. Burnett said.
He said those caught faced prison sentences of up to five years and heavy fines.
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Originally published as Five tonnes of illegal fireworks seized ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations
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