Melbourne underworld identity Fadi Haddara charged with multiple gun offences

Melbourne underworld identity Fadi Haddara has allegedly been linked to a deadly gun stash which included a 9mm Luger Glock.

Fadi Haddara has been charged with gun offences.

An infamous western suburbs identity arrested following an operation by anti-illicit tobacco detectives can be linked to a deadly gun stash via DNA, it has been alleged.

Fadi Haddara, 46, fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with possessing firearms, handling stolen goods and prohibited person possess a firearm.

It’s alleged Mr Haddara, a heavy-hitter in Melbourne’s underworld, was linked to firearms allegedly found at a property in Altona North on September 14 last year

Mr Haddara, of Altona North, was also allegedly linked to a suspected stolen 9mm Luger Glock handgun.

Police allegedly found three handguns and a homemade rifle at a property adjacent to where Mr Haddara was living at the time.

The guns allegedly seized last September have been forensically tested.

Zarah Garde-Wilson, for Mr Haddara, told the court the “allegations” were Haddara was linked to the gun stash via DNA.

“It’s a bag of firearms at a location unrelated to the accused and allegations are there is DNA partially on one of those items,” Ms Garde-Wilson said.

The matter was set down for a two-day contested hearing to allow for evidence from witnesses and a firearms expert.

Mr Haddara, who had a charge of affray withdrawn, was bailed to front court again on July 15.

Investigators from the Taskforce Lunar arrested Mr Haddara late last year.

The specialist Victoria Police squad has been tasked with extinguishing Melbourne’s illicit tobacco trade and the subsequent and rapidly escalating war.

Lunar was set up last year after about 30 arson attacks allegedly linked to crime syndicates fighting over the illicit tobacco trade.

There have also been non-fatal shootings related to that friction.

According to Victoria Police, taskforce investigators are “looking into a range of motivations for these fires and links to a range of organised crime syndicates”.

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