Guns, drugs seized in police raids across Melbourne’s northwest
High-powered assault rifles and 1.7kg of the drug ice have been seized in a major police operation on a Middle Eastern crime syndicate after raids in Melbourne’s northwestern suburbs. Eight people have been arrested.
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High-powered assault rifles and 1.7kg of the drug ice have been seized in a major police operation on a Middle Eastern crime syndicate.
The guns were among 11 seized as police raided properties in Melbourne’s northwestern suburbs today, arresting eight people.
Other weapons found included sawn-off shotguns and handguns as detectives moved after five months of investigating a drug and firearms trafficking racket.
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“Two of the firearms in particular were assault rifles known as an SKS model. They’re akin to an AK-47. They shoot the same ammunition,” Detective Inspector Jamie Templeton said.
There has been high-level law enforcement concern at the number of assault rifles in criminal hands.
Four imitation firearms and ammunition were also confiscated as officers from northwest metro crime squad and other specialist units executed warrants.
“They were connected in various ways and we believe today’s actions will bring about the disruption and hopefully the dismantling of the syndicate,” Insp Templeton said.
Those arrested included men aged 30 and 34 from Roxburgh Park, a 41-year-old man from Epping, a 42-year-old man from Hopetoun Park, a 29-year-old man from Dallas and a 30-year-old man from Thomastown.
They have been charged with offences including trafficking firearms, trafficking a large commercial quantity of methylamphetamine and theft of a motor vehicle.