TWO men from Mount Martha and a man from Oakleigh have been arrested after firearms and drugs were seized during police raids last week.
The arrests follow the execution of two search warrants on 11 and 12 October in Mount Martha and Oakleigh, and the seizure of three firearms, including a loaded gun, imitation firearm, air rifle, three prohibited knives, a slingshot and two tasers.
Also found were homemade firearm parts, homemade ammunition, about two kilograms of cannabis with an estimated street value of $40,000, small amounts of what is alleged to be LSD, mushrooms and a psychedelic substance known as DMT, around $900 cash, allegedly stolen identification cards, bank licence cards, a printer and an embossing unit.
With the assistance from the Viper taskforce, a 28-year-old Mt Martha man was arrested on 12 October and charged with the possession of a traffickable quantity of firearms, as well as the possession of cannabis, ammunition, prohibited weapons, the proceeds of crime and possession of equipment to falsify legal documents. He appeared before the Frankston Magistrates Court later that day.
A 24-year-old Mount Martha man was also arrested and released pending summons for weapons-related offences.
As a result of the warrants, a 34-year-old Oakleigh South man was arrested on 11 October and subsequently charged with trafficking and possessing cannabis, as well as the possession of LSD, hallucinogen, ammunition prohibited weapons, imitation firearms, and the proceeds of crime.
He was bailed to appear before the Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on 11 January 2023.
Police also issued cannabis cautions to two 24-year-old Oakleigh South men who were present during the search warrant.
Mornington Peninsula Divisional Response Unit Sergeant Adam Davey said the seizure of the firearms, drugs and prohibited weapons prevented them from ever reaching or causing harm to the community.
“Anyone threatening the safety of our community through the manufacturing or dealing of illicit firearms or drugs, will be arrested and will face a lengthy prison sentence,” he said.
First published in the Mornington News – 18 October 2022
