Three wanted males charged in Mildura firearm crackdown

Almost a dozen people have been arrested in Mildura after a week-long operation to reduce the amount of illegal guns in the city.

A teenage boy is among 11 people arrested as part of a week-long firearms crackdown in Mildura.

The operation, which partly targeted the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang, involved police from the VIPER Taskforce, Mildura Criminal Investigation Unit, Mildura Divisional Response Unit, State Highway Patrol and the Dog Squad.

Ten firearm prohibition order searches were conducted, which Mildura Police Detective Acting Inspector Matthew Pascoe said the searches were pivotal to reducing firearm related crimes.

“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 community is our priority and make no mistake — we will continue to come down hard on individuals who illegally access, use and store firearms.

“Any person subject to a FPO considering possessing a firearm is playing a very dangerous game of roulette.”

Various weapons, including a sword and a crowbar, as well as methylamphetamine and cannabis were seized by organised crime task force VIPER members.

VIPER Task force Detective Acting Inspector Warren Chapman said the task force did not just target the Melbourne metropolitan area.

“Those living in regional areas shouldn’t feel more comfortable. If you are involved in gang related or organised criminal activity anywhere in Victoria, you are not out of our reach. We can and will target you,” he said.

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

The operation included the targeting of serious and organised crime entities on Mildura roads by the State Highway Patrol.

It resulted in five drug drivers, five unlicensed drivers, four vehicle impounds, three speeding offences, three unregistered vehicles and one mobile phone offence.

Among the 11 arrests, three people — a 31-year-old with no fixed address and a 26-year-old man and the teenager, both from NSW — were charged with home invasion, armed robbery, burglary, theft of motor vehicle, arson and reckless conduct endanger serious injury.

A 32-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, both from Mildura, were charged with possessing a drug of dependence and ATO deceptions.

They will face the Mildura Magistrates’ Court later in January.

A 37-year-old Mildura man was charged with possessing a drug of dependence and was bailed to face Mildura Magistrates’ Court in March.

Two men from Colignan, a 28-year-old and a 24-year-old, were charged with possessing a drug of dependence, cultivating a drug of dependence and possessing a prohibited weapon.

They were also bailed to face Mildura Magistrates’ Court in March.

Meanwhile, a 46-year-old Colignan woman is expected to be charged on summons.