Bazooka, bombs found in deadly weapon haul St Kilda East apartment

It was meant to be a routine drug raid, but what police found inside this family’s ritzy St Kilda East apartment would lead to a major security incident.

A cache of high-grade weapons including a grenade launcher, remote-control bombs, ballistic vests, knuckle dusters and throwing knives have been found inside a St Kilda Rd apartment. Picture: Victoria Police.

A routine drug raid at a ritzy St Kilda East apartment uncovered a disturbing cache of deadly weapons, including a Soviet-era rocket launcher.

Melbourne parents Sophia Polites, 44 and Shaheen Waheed, 45, were two of the five alleged crooks arrested in a series of drug raids which also uncovered a rocket launcher, remote-control bombs and ballistic vests hidden in the wardrobes and drawers of a swanky apartment last July.

Extraordinary images released by the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this week show the frightening collection of high-grade weaponry uncovered at the 10th floor of the St Kilda Rd apartment, just metres from the homes of unsuspecting families.

In the hours to midnight on July 28, 2022, police were preparing to execute a series of drug raids at properties in Richmond, Caulfield North, St Kilda East and at Maxx Apartments St Kilda

Parents Sophia Polites, 44, and Shaheen Waheed, 45, were two of five co-accused to front the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. Picture: Facebook

The raids followed a six month trafficking investigation with the hopes of busting open a large-scale drug trafficking operation.

But by 2am the search had become a major security incident.

The bomb response unit and the arson squad rushed to the scene when the rocket launcher — also known as a bazooka — found wrapped in a blanket in a wardrobe of the home, alongside bombs capable of being detonated remotely.

Five ballistic vests were also uncovered, as well as a collection of guns, ammunition, knives and knuckle dusters.

Authorities rushed to evacuate residents, with Maxx Apartments shut down for hours while bomb response officers cleared an improvised explosive device and another explosive substance from the building.

Five co-accused have been charged with dozens of offences. Picture: Victoria Police.

Eventually given the all clear, police seized the weapons and later confirmed they found 2kg of methamphetamine with a street value of $210,000, 1kg of cocaine worth $200,000 and 1kg of heroin estimated at $90,000, as well as almost $58,000 in cash.

Ms Polites and Mr Waheed, who regularly post family photos with their son online, appeared in court this week alongside Lara Domajnko, 36, and Richmond man Marc Andrews, 44, for a hearing to test the evidence against them.

According to charge sheets, the foursome are accused of “unlawfully and maliciously” possessing an explosive substance “to endanger life and cause serious injury to property”.

It is still unknown what the weapons were intended for.

Dozens of weapons were found hidden inside the apartment. Picture: Victoria Police ,

Police allegedly found 2kg of methamphetamine with a street value of $210,000, 1kg of cocaine worth $200,000 and 1kg of heroin estimated at $90,000 in the raid.

Police allege the four peddled numerous high dependency drugs, including meth and heroin, between November 2020 and July 29 last year.

They have also been charged with possessing “hunting style knives” and “throwing knives” as well as multiple unregistered firearms and several passports and birth certificates suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The rocket launcher — also known as a bazooka — and a 22. Calibre pen pistol have been tied to Mr Andrews, who is the only one charged with possessing them.

Ms Domajnko, 36, who it’s understood previously worked as a chartered accountant for Vicinity, was additionally facing proceeds of crime charges over multiple designer handbags and $8435 in cash, discovered at her Box Hill home.

A fifth co-accused, 66-year-old McKinnon mum Susan Nicola, who was also present in court, is facing five trafficking charges after allegedly dealing meth, heroin and diazepam between November 2020 and July 2022.

She has not been charged with any weapons offences.

Police had “thousands” of photos and videos to support their case. Picture: Victoria Police ,

Police prosecutor Jordan O’Toole told the court police had “thousands” of photos and videos to back their case against the group, including dozens of photos of the high-grade weapons and CCTV footage outside the 10th floor apartment.

The court heard footage showed the alleged offenders coming and going from the building on multiple occasions.

But both Mr Andrews’ and Mr Waheed’s defence lawyers argued the footage was grainy and “not a complete record” of those who attended the property.

Magistrate Simon Zebrowski ruled that there was enough evidence to send Mr Andrews and Mr Waheed to trial.

The duo sat side-by-side as they were beamed into court from custody to enter their pleas.

“Not guilty,” Mr Andrews firmly told the court, interrupting the magistrate who told him to wait until he was asked a question.

Mr Waheed, who also pleaded not guilty during the second day of the hearing on Thursday, was expected to apply for bail but pulled the plug last minute.

They will both face the Victorian County Court on July 19 for a pre-trial hearing.

The three women are fighting to keep their cases in the lower court where they would face lesser penalties.

The trio will return to the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in September.