Home-made machine gun seized in Melbourne drug bust

Police have uncovered a homemade machine gun during a raid on the home of an alleged drug syndicate member in Melbourne’s southeast.

A home-made machine gun has been seized in an investigation into a multimillion-dollar Melbourne cocaine and ice trafficking ring.

The high-powered weapon was uncovered by special operations group members early on Tuesday morning as they raided the Clarinda home of an alleged syndicate member.

It was part of a year-long investigation by Caulfield divisional response unit detectives in which 20 people have been arrested.

The 26-year-old was arrested by the special operations group and charged with gun offences, drug matters and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

Other properties were also searched under warrant in the same wave of raids on Tuesday.

A 39-year-old Brighton man was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine and drug possession.

He was bailed on strict conditions to appear in Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on February 25.

At the same time, a Keysborough man, 32, was detained and charged with trafficking 1,4 butanediol, which is sold as GHB, and possessing ammunition, steroids and the proceeds of crime.

He was remanded to appear in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on November 24.

Properties were also searched at Langwarrin, Port Melbourne. Skye, Brighton and Frankston in an operation which also involved the southern metro detectives, the criminal proceeds squad, the armed crime squad, the critical incident response team and the Australian Federal Police.

The investigation, which began in January, has led to seven others being charged this year.

Among them were a 28-year-old Balnarring man and a Frankston man, 36, who were intercepted near Wodonga on July 20 as they drove a tow truck.

Police allege 15kg of methylamphetamine, with an estimated street valued of $10m, was seized.

Earlier this month, a man and woman from Frankston, both 32, were arrested and charged with trafficking methylamphetamine, cocaine and 1,4 butanediol and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

In August, a 35-year-old Cranbourne man was charged with trafficking methylamphetamine and cocaine.

Also seized since January have been 7900 steroid tablets, imitation guns, banned weapons including knuckledusters, $650,000 in cash, two utes and a tow truck.

A frequency jammer, used to interfere with radio communications, was also confiscated.

Commander Therese Fitzgerald of southern metro region said the operation had been outstanding policing.

“It’s really incredible work,” she said.

“It’s been a big effort at a difficult time for VicPol. There are some great results for the community.”

Commander Fitzgerald said the work had made clear the risks for those who choose to deal drugs.

“We now have a significant number of people with incredibly serious drug charges hanging over their heads – these people may have set out with images of easy money in their eyes, but they are now staring at the harsh reality of many years confined to a prison cell, Commander Fitzgerald said.

“If you think you can make a quick dollar dealing drugs, think again. We have dedicated teams of detectives across the entire state keeping a close eye on you – whether you’re the head of a syndicate or a lowly drug runner, you will be caught.

“If these drugs had made it to the streets, they would have caused untold damage, while their sale would have funded further criminal enterprises.”