Police target illicit firearms in bikie swoop across Ballarat

Police have swooped on four Nomad bikie members from Ballarat during a state-wide sting on illicit firearms.

Police have swooped on four Nomad bikie members from Ballarat during a state-wide sting on illicit firearms.

Police carried out searches at nine addresses across Melbourne and Ballarat on Thursday including four in the Ballarat suburbs of Wendouree, Alfredton and Mount Clear.

Police from Ballarat’s incident and response unit issued multiple firearm prohibition orders (FPOs) as part of an operation to disrupt and deter illicit firearms.

Four orders were issued to individuals who are allegedly members of the Nomads bikie gang including a 30-year-old Wendouree man; a 38-year-old Alfredton man; a 26-year-old man from Alfredton and a 23-year-old Mt Clear man.

Ballarat region investigation and response manager Shaun Bingham said it was a successful operation.

“Firearm Prohibition Orders serve as a powerful tool to hold certain individuals accountable when it comes to the use of illicit firearms,” he said.

“The safety of the Ballarat community is our number one priority, and we make no apologies for deliberately making it difficult for these people to access, use and store firearms.

“This is also about creating greater consequences for these individuals should they come into possession of a firearm – if they want to roll the dice they could be looking at up to 10 years in prison.

“Make no mistake – police will continue to do everything within their power to make sure firearms stay out of the wrong hands.”

Senior Sergeant Alan Rumble from Echo Taskforce said the operations sent a strong message.

“Outlaw motorcycle gangs remain a significant national problem, not just in our bigger cities but also in regional towns like Ballarat,” he said.

“Yesterday’s enforcement sends a clear message to chapter members – you cannot hide, and police will use every power they have to prevent you from causing harm to the Ballarat community and beyond.”