Three men arrested in raids on Rebels bikes in Mildura

A week-long police operation targeting the Rebels outlaw motorcycle club in Mildura has turned up gun parts, ammunition and illicit drugs.

Rebels bikies and organised crime figures have been arrested in a major police blitz at Mildura which turned up guns, ice and cocaine.

Investigators dished out 15 firearm prohibition orders and conducted nine search warrants with the Rebels among those targeted in the week-long operation.

Gun parts, ammunition, an ammunition press machine, and illicit drugs were confiscated.

Those arrested by police were:

A 42-year-old Mildura man who was charged with trafficking cocaine, traffic methylamphetamine, possess methylamphetamine, possessing 1,4 butanediol, and possessing cartridge ammunition.

He will face Mildura Magistrates’ Court on September 5.

Police have carried out raids on Rebel bikies in Mildura. Picture: Supplied

A 48-year-old man from Mildura will face counts of possessing cannabis, possessing a prescribed item, possessing cartridge ammunition without a licence or permit, handling stolen goods and failing to answer bail.

He was bailed to appear at Mildura Magistrates’ Court on November 14.

A 39-year-old man from Mildura who was charged with methylamphetamine possession, possession of a schedule 4 poison, possessing a drug of dependence, and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

He was bailed to appear at Mildura Magistrates Court at a date yet to be set.

The operation involved officers from the Mildura CIU, the divisional response unit, state highway patrol, the K9 unit, the VIPER taskforce, the Australian Federal Police, and the Victorian Sheriff’s Office, who recovered $27,000 in unpaid fines.

Mildura investigation and response manager Insp. David Rowe said the arrests came from strong collaboration and intelligence-gathering by local and specialist units into outlaw motorcycle gangs operating in Mildura.

The raids involved Mildura police and members of the VIPER taskforce. Picture: Supplied

“Illicit firearms and drugs are often associated with organised crime and can cause devastating consequences not just for individuals but for the entire community – this is why we will continue to run operations like these and bring those responsible to justice,” Insp. Rose said.

“If you’re in Mildura and involved in organised crime, be warned it’s only a matter of time before we come knocking.”

Detective acting Insp. Leigh Howse of VIPER said the taskforce could deploy anywhere across Victoria.

“Those living in regional areas shouldn’t feel more comfortable — if you are involved in gang related or organised criminal activity anywhere in Victoria, you are not out of our reach,” acting Insp. Howse said.

“FPOs are not issued only based on a person’s criminal history with firearms – they are being issued to those people we know have a significant history of serious violent crime or who are linked to serious and organised crime groups.

“By actively working to reduce the number of illicit firearms in the community, we will reduce the amount of serious crimes those weapons enable.”