GEELONG, VIC. — Local police and officers from Victoria Police’s serious and organised crime taskforce seized eight firearms during a week of action in Geelong.
Geelong detectives were joined by members from the VIPER Taskforce to target those in the community with active firearm prohibition orders.
During the operation, officers conducted 16 Firearm Prohibition Order checks and executed one search warrant.
While conducting a compliance check in Little River, VIPER officers located four firearms, an imitation firearm, firearm parts, ammunition and methylamphetamine.
The FPO subject – aged 47 – was arrested and charged with possessing a traffickable quantity of unregistered firearms, four counts of possessing a firearm when a firearm prohibition order applies, FPO subject possessing an imitation firearm, possessing ammunition without a licence and possessing methylamphetamine.
He was remanded to appear before the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, April 29.
During a search warrant in Whittington, VIPER officers located an imitation firearm, three cannabis plants, a taser, a slingshot, OC sprays and quantities of heroin.
A 56-year-old man was arrested and charged with possessing cartridge ammunition without a licence, cultivating a narcotic plant, possessing a prohibited weapon without exemption and trafficking heroin.
He was bailed to appear before the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on June 12.
Geelong detectives also located two firearms during an FPO check in St Albans Park. A 32-year-old man was charged with a range of offences.
A 43-year-old man will also be charged after police established he had failed to update his address, as is legally required when subject to an FPO.
VIPER Taskforce deploys regularly across the state to support local police with investigations and enforcement, including FPOs.
The orders are issued to offenders who are known to be armed with or use illicit firearms.
They remain in effect for 10 years for adults and five years for children.
During that time, the individual is prohibited from acquiring, possessing, carrying or using any firearm-related item such as ammunition.
The charges relating to FPOs are significant, with people facing 10 years’ imprisonment for acquiring, possessing, carrying or using a firearm or firearm-related item.
Operation Potassium ran in Geelong from April 13 to 16.
Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
