A 38-year-old Craigieburn man was charged on Wednesday, May 18 with almost 100 offences relating to the trafficking of firearms and illegal fireworks.
Police carried out searches at three properties, including two residential addresses in Craigieburn and a business premises in Campbellfield.
They seized fireworks, firearms parts and a stolen trailer.
The man was charged with 95 offences, including 37 counts of possessing explosive substance, possessing traffickable quantity firearms, possessing unregistered handgun, possessing unregistered firearm, possessing prohibited weapon and dealing with property suspected proceeds of crime.
He was remanded to face Melbourne Magistrates Court today (May 19).
On February 14, the man was charged with five offences, including possess explosives and sell explosives.
Detectives searched five properties and seized 350 kilograms of commercial grade fireworks.
Arson and Explosives Squad Detective Inspector Steve Soden said: “It has been a huge amount of work by the Arson and Explosives Squad – these seizures have prevented a great amount of possible harm to the community.
“Firearms are used in the most violent of offending, and commercial fireworks are extremely dangerous in untrained hands as they are essentially explosives.
“The investigation doesn’t just stop after one result and you shouldn’t expect to go under the radar. We can and will target you.”
Anyone with information about illegal fireworks or illicit firearms is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
