Man attempting to flee Victoria among four charged in huge firearm syndicate probe

A man accused of trying to board a flight out of Melbourne is one of four men arrested and charged over an investigation into a huge gun and drug syndicate. Watch the video.

A man attempting to jet out of Melbourne has been taken down as part of a huge anti-bikie investigation that saw a sprawling gun and drug syndicate smashed by covert police.

He is one of four men accused of supplying crooks with a stack of firearms and drugs across the state.

Detectives seized several guns, ammunition, methamphetamine, 1,4-butanediol and cash during a series of raids across Kingsville, Hoppers Crossing, Richmond, Williamstown and Laverton North.

A stolen Holden Commodore, jetski, and Harley Davidson motorcycle were also seized.

The special operations group arrested Kingsville man Mark Brown, 37, and Altona North man William Cromb, 49, at a shipping container site on Boundary Rd, Laverton North on Thursday.

Police allege Mr Brown attended the site with Mr Cromb – his girlfriend’s father – to flog $1kg of methamphetamine for $96K, 25L of 1,4-butanediol for $12.5K and a nine millimetre handgun for $35K.

Drugs including 1,4-butanediol were seized.

The items were allegedly found inside a Laverton North shipping container.

Unbeknown to them, the alleged buyers were covert operatives who’d had the pair under surveillance.

During an unsuccessful bail attempt by Mr Cromb on Friday, the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard he allegedly attempted to rip open the bag of methamphetamine and disperse the drugs as police rounded on him.

His lawyer told the court the father-of-three was unaware of drugs inside the shipping container.

Magistrate Stephen Ballek was unconvinced after examining a photograph of the package which he declared was “quite clearly drugs”.

Mr Cromb was remanded in custody on charges of trafficking a large commercial quantity of methylamphetamine and trafficking a large commercial quantity of 1,4-butanediol.

He screamed “I’m innocent” as he was taken away by custody officers in front of upset family members.

Police said the seizure was a huge win.

Mr Brown – the alleged head of the syndicate – was also remanded on similar charges.

A St Albans man, 45, was arrested at Melbourne Airport as he attempted to board a flight to Queensland while a Richmond man, 36, was taken into custody at a joint in Kingsville.

The St Albans man was charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of methamphetamine and 1,4-butanediol and possessing a trafficable quantity of firearms, among other offences.

Detective Acting Inspector Amanda Cohen said the seizure of 1kg of methamphetamine, four guns and nearly 50 litres of 1,4-butanediol was a huge win.

Det. Insp. Cohen said those dealing guns in the suburbs would be taken down.

“Yesterday’s warrants also led to a range of seizures, including drugs, firearms, cash and weapons, as well as a large amount of stolen goods,” she said.

“It also highlights the common connection we often see with illicit firearms and drugs, both of which cause our community immense harm.

“The Illicit Firearms squad will continue to target those engaged in this offending and encourage anyone who has further information about this activity to come forward and speak to police.”

The men will face court on January 28.