Detectives have charged four men following the alleged extortion of the owner of a convenience store on Main Road, Eltham on Monday, June 26.
Police allege the owner was threatened by a number of men.
Searches were conducted with the assistance of the VIPER taskforce at five residential addresses in Dallas, Docklands, Wallan, Ascot Vale and Langwarrin, as well as at a Brunswick East clubhouse.
A 43-year-old Dallas man has been charged with extortion.
A 34-year-old Docklands man has been charged with extortion, possessing a firearm, possession of cocaine and steroids and was served a firearms prohibition order (FPO).
A 36-year-old Wallan man has been charged with extortion, possessing cannabis and possessing ‘GHB’.
A 30-year-old Ascot Vale man has been charged with extortion, possessing a firearm, possessing proceeds of crime and failing to provide phone access.
The four, currently remanded in Melbourne’s ‘submarine’ – an underground prison below Melbourne – will appear before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in an out-of-sessions hearing tonight.
