‘It won’t be long’: Cops issue warning to those holding guns for criminals as raids net firearms, drugs

More than a dozen guns held in “safe houses” for organised crime figures have been wiped as police raided two northern suburb factories, seizing a cache of drugs, firearms and cash.

Thirteen guns have been seized from “safe houses” where they were being held for Melbourne organised crime figures.

The weapons were seized from multiple properties in the northern suburbs by members of the north west metro regional crime squad.

Senior police have warned of stiff consequences for those who store guns for others.

Detectives, assisted by an Australian Federal police specialist forensic team, raided two factories in Broadmeadows where they found 13 firearms, including handguns, long-arms and pen pistols.

Five imitation firearms, two imitation silencers, gun parts, ammunition and weapons including nun-chucks and a baton were also uncovered.

Victoria Police seize firearms from a Broadmeadows factory. Picture: Supplied

Police also seized large stacks of cash. Picture: Supplied

More than $540,000, a cash-counter, a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine and cannabis, MDMA, cocaine and ketamine were seized.

A 54-year-old Gladstone Park man was later hit with 15 charges, including trafficking

a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, possessing a handgun, ammunition,

imitation firearm and silencer, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime and committing

an indictable offence while on bail.

An Oak Park man, 44, faces 25 charges, including trafficking firearms and possessing handguns, long-arms, ammunition, imitation firearms and methylamphetamine.

Police arrested a man in Melbourne's north. Picture: Supplied

They have been remanded to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on February 26.

A 37-year-old man earlier been arrested at a home in Broadmeadows where a disassembled handgun, handgun barrels, a firearms slide, other parts and ammunition were found.

That man was interviewed and later charged with possessing an unregistered handgun and ammunition, trafficking methylamphetamine, possessing cannabis and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

He will face Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on December 8.

Detective Insp. Patrick Watkinson said police attention was on syndicate affiliates and networks.

“Recent public acts of aggression by organised crime syndicates have certainly got

our attention,” he said.

“Know that just by connection the chances of your activities being detected has increased. If you think you can get away with storing or hiding firearms for your counterparts, think again because it won’t be long until we’re knocking on your door.”