Nine arrested in Shepparton gang crackdown

Nine men have been arrested as part of a crackdown into gang-related crime with links between Shepparton and Melbourne.

The men were charged with a combination of cocaine trafficking and weapon offences. Picture: Stock image

Gang crime squad detectives have made nine arrests, laying cocaine trafficking charges and seizing guns.

The nine were arrested over two days in a crackdown into gang-related crime with links between the Shepparton area and metropolitan Melbourne.

Gangs crime squad members and Shepparton CIU detectives yesterday raided three homes and charged six men.

Warrants were executed at three properties in Shepparton and two at Kialla.

The six arrested were:

– A 23-year-old Kialla man, later charged with trafficking cocaine, being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and possessing cannabis

– A 22-year-old Shepparton man charged with trafficking cocaine, possessing a firearm and bail offences.

– A 30-year-old Shepparton man charged with trafficking cocaine, possessing a firearm and bail offences.

– A 22-year-old Shepparton man charged with trafficking cocaine.

– A 24-year-old Kialla man charged with trafficking a drug of dependence, possessing a drug of dependence, possessing explosives and dealing in the proceeds of crime.

– A 23-year-old Shepparton man charged with possessing a drug of dependence.

All were bailed to appear in the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court later this year.

Investigators seized a sawn-off shotgun, ammunition, drugs including cannabis and GHB, cash, illegal fireworks and designer clothing and accessories.

Members from the gang crime squad and Echo taskforce today raided properties in Dandenong, Cranbourne, Glenroy and Fitzroy as part of the same operation into cocaine trafficking in country Victoria and Melbourne.

Arrested were a:

– A 24 year-old Glenroy man who faces counts of deceptions, trafficking a drug of dependence, traffic and bail breaches.

– A 22-year-old Cranbourne man charged with trafficking a drug of dependence and possessing a drug of dependence matters.

– A 25-year-old Dandenong man, later released pending further inquiries.

Officers seized cocaine and cannabis in those searches.

The arrests form part of an ongoing investigation into alleged trafficking of cocaine in metropolitan and country Victoria.

Detective Insp. Graham Banks said the inquiry showed serious and organised crime syndicates could operate anywhere, anytime.

“The seizure of any firearm is always especially pleasing and again, underlines the strong link we know exists between illicit drugs and firearms,” Insp. Banks said.

“If there are people out there who have knowledge about this group, then I would continue to urge you to come forward and this can also be done anonymously via Crime Stoppers.

Anyone with information about gang activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to crimestoppersvic.com.au.