Six arrested after major police sting nets $500k gun, drug haul

Guns and drugs worth $500,000 have been seized and six people arrested after police swooped on a statewide crime network allegedly trafficking firearms and narcotics.

More than 40 charges have been laid after guns and drugs worth $500,000 were allegedly seized during a police swoop on a statewide crime network trafficking firearms and narcotics.

Six people were arrested on Tuesday, including a 43-year-old man who was detained by the special operations group in Spotswood.

Police suspect those involved were trafficking in Melbourne, country Victoria and interstate.

Thirteen warrants were executed in an investigation led by the eastern region crime squad.

Police have arrested six people across Melbourne as part of a major investigation into drugs and firearms. Source: Victoria Police

Guns and drugs worth $500,000 have been seized. Source: Victoria Police

Homes and storage facilities in Balwyn, California Gully, Footscray, West Footscray, Rowville, Spotswood, Sunshine North and Warburton were raided.

Detectives have since charged a Hoppers Crossing man, who was previously banned from owning guns, with 10 offences including trafficking a large commercial quantity of meth and possessing proceeds of crime.

The 35-year-old was remanded to appear at Melbourne County Court on September 17.

A Rowville man also banned from owning guns was hit with 22 charges including trafficking a large commercial quantity of meth.

The 36-year-old was remanded to appear in the same court on that date.

A 40-year-old Doreen man was also charged with a number of drug offences and will join the pair at Melbourne County court in September.

Investigators this week seized a cache of drugs, including methylamphetamine, weighing a total of 2kg, two guns, $150,000 in cash, gun parts and ammunition and multiple stolen vehicles.

Police also seized allegedly stolen vehicles. Source: Victoria Police

Police said the alleged syndicate had shown complete disregard for the law. Source: Victoria Police

An associate of syndicate members was also arrested by detectives from north west metro regional crime squad earlier this month.

The 32-year-old was detained at Ocean Grove before investigators conducted raids at Oakleigh and Bayswater.

Seized were 340 packets of cigarettes, 109 tobacco pouches, 325 vapes, 15ml of 1,4 Butanediol, methylamphetamine, prescription drugs, $30,000 in suspected crime proceeds and three guitars stolen in an inner-Melbourne burglary.

The Ocean Grove man was charged with three counts of dealing in the suspected proceeds of crime, handling stolen goods, drug offences and unauthorised possession of a poison.

He was bailed to appear at Geelong Magistrates’ Court on July 11.

Detective Inspector Luke Kirton said seizure of the guns was a win for community safety. “These firearms are not toys. They are deadly weapons, and in the wrong hands they are a serious threat to public safety,” he said. “This alleged syndicate has shown complete disregard for the law and the wellbeing of the community.”