Samuel Vipond fronts Shepparton court for drug trafficking and firearm charges

A crook who had gone on a crime spree in Victoria and NSW has been taken down over a string of drug trafficking and firearm offences.

Samuel Vipond was charged with trafficking methylamphetamine after he was arrested in Shepparton in 2019.

A Shepparton man busted with more than 145g of meth and a pile of cash was the target of a Victoria Police surveillance operation.

Samuel Vipond was under surveillance relating to offences committed in NSW and was arrested in March 2019.

He was attempting to climb the rear fence of a Shepparton property when he was arrested and a “pat down search” found multiple mobile phones, seven plastic bags containing methylamphetamine, digital scales and rolls of cash equalling more than $8000.

The 38 year old’s vehicle was also searched and four firearms, various ammunition and firearm accessories were found inside.

Three rifles were stolen and the fourth gun was a sawn off shotgun.

Vipond has been charged with possessing a trafficable quantity of firearms and trafficking methylamphetamine.

His offences in NSW included aggravated breaking and entering, stealing and firing a gun in a public place.

He was sentenced to four years and nine months in September 2020 and was released on parole in March 2022 when it is understood he returned to Victoria.

He was then granted bail for his offences in Victoria in 2022 before multiple appearances in the Magistrate’s and County Courts through 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Samuel Vipond, 38, plead guilty in the Shepparton County Court to possessing a trafficable quantity of firearms and trafficking methylamphetamine.

He appeared before the Shepparton County Court on Monday to plead guilty to the charges.

Judge Pardeep Tiwana said the charges were serious offences, however the “significant delay” in the court proceedings and the “significant sentence of totality” were important factors to consider.

He said having four loaded firearms with all the ammunition in Shepparton caused “so much fear amongst the community”.

“Protection of the community is important,” he said.

“The offending is so serious even when one bears in mind the strong mitigating factors.”

Mr Tiwana said since Vipond had been released on bail it appeared he had been “going quite well” and had “positive signs of rehabilitation”.

He said it was not uncommon for drug traffickers to possess firearms due to it being a “dangerous trade”.

Mr Tiwana said he would not be imposing a combination sentence.

A sentencing indication given on August 6 last year, which included two offences that have since been withdrawn, was for 25 months with 14 months of a non-parole period.

Vipond will appear in the Melbourne County Court on Tuesday for sentencing.

He was remanded in custody.