Police charged three men from Whittlesea on Wednesday, following a year-long investigation into drug and firearm trafficking linked to organised crime syndicates.
Warrants were executed at three residential addresses in Lalor, Wollert, and Thomastown at 5am on Wednesday, February 8.
A 58-year-old Thomastown man, believed to be a patched member of the Mongols Outlaw Motorcycle Gang, was charged with prohibited possession of a firearm, handling stolen goods, knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, possessing a firearm with no serial number, possessing a imitation firearm, and two counts of possessing prohibited weapons without exemption. He was bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates Court on July 13. An allegedly stolen Harley Davidson motorcycle and two samurai swords were also seized at the Thomastown address, police said.
A 23-year-old Lalor man was charged with a range of offences, including prohibited possession of a firearm, acquiring a traffickable quantity of firearms, attempting to dispose of a traffickable quantity of firearms, possessing firearm with no serial number, failing to store firearms in secure manner, eight counts of trafficking cocaine, trafficking methylamphetamine, driving while suspended, and committing indictable offence whilst on bail. He was bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates Court on February 15.
A 23-year-old Wollert man was charged with two counts each of trafficking cocaine, possessing cocaine, and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. He was bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates Court on March 11.
Police allege the two 23-year-old men have links to Middle Eastern organised crime.
Information to Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
