Operation Anthea nets almost 100 guns, imitation firearms in major Victoria Police bust

Almost 100 guns were seized after police raided homes in Richmond, Swan Hill and Traralgon in a major weapons sting.

Police have seized almost 100 guns in Victoria in a major firearms swoop.

The 98 weapons, and 25 imitation guns, were confiscated in Operation Athena, as part of a national week of action.

Twenty six people were arrested and 67 charges laid as officers made 91 searches as part of firearms prohibition order enforcement.

Almost 100 guns were seized as part of Operation Anthea. Picture: Victoria Police.

Among those arrested were a Swan Hill man, 48, who was charged with possession of a trafficable quantity of firearms and counts of possessing unregistered firearms.

Ten unregistered firearms and a large quantity of ammunition were found at his address.

Seven registered guns were also seized as his firearms licence was immediately suspended.

A Richmond man, 41, was charged with being a non-prohibited person in possession of a handgun and counts of possessing an imitation firearm after a search of his property.

A 60-year-old Traralgon man was charged with one count of manufacturing a firearm and two of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

Two homemade guns were found at his property after officers served a firearms prohibition order allowing them to make a search.

Two home made guns were found at a Traralgon property. Picture: Victoria Police.

Police searched more than 90 properties. Picture: Victoria Police.

Officers from the Victoria Police illicit firearms unit, members of Australian Border Force, investigators from crime command investigators, local firearms officers and other members were involved in Athena.

They served 16 FPO’s and carried out 91 FPO compliance searches.

Detective Superintendent Peter Brigham from the Victoria Police State Anti-Gangs Division said: “We understand there is a large concern within the community when it comes to incidents involving firearms.

“The majority of incidents we see involving firearms are targeted attacks, usually between known criminals and often linked to the illicit drug trade”

Men from Richmond, Traralgon and Swan Hill were among those arrested. Picture: Victoria Police.

“There’s been a significant amount of work to prevent these offences from occurring in the first place, and it’s key for us to stop illicit firearms getting into the wrong hands”

Athena, which ran last week, involved state police and federal bodies including the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, AUSTRAC, the Australian Taxation Office, the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Defence Force.