May 9th, 2024VIPER taskforce seize five firearms in Bendigo
Members from the VIPER Taskforce have charged a man and seized five firearms, drugs and knives as part of an investigation into the possession of a firearm with alleged links to an outlaw motorcycle gang.
A warrant was executed last Friday (May 3) at a residential address in Bendigo where the firearm was being stored and a 33-year-old Bendigo man was arrested.
During a search of his property, police located a Lithgow .223 calibre bolt action rifle with the serial number removed, a 12-gauge shotgun, a .22 calibre rimfire rifle, a .308 centrefire rifle, a .177 air rifle, a dagger, two double edged knives, small quantities of what appear to be cannabis and Diazepam and a large quantity of mixed ammunition.
The man was interviewed and subsequently charged with possess unregistered firearm, two counts of possess drug of dependence and three counts of possess prohibited weapon without approval.
His firearms licence was also suspended and he has been bailed to appear at Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on 29 July.
Anyone with information about illicit firearms was urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report via the Crime Stoppers website.
February 21st, 2024VIPER Taskforce seize illicit tobacco following Ballarat ram raid
Detectives from the VIPER Taskforce have arrested a man and seized illicit tobacco products following a ram raid at tobacco store in Ballarat last week.
Shortly after 6am on Thursday 15 February, police were called to reports of a ram raid on a tobacco store on Curtis Street in Ballarat.
It appears a vehicle was reversed into the front entrance of the store before the driver fled without gaining entry.
Members from the VIPER Taskforce today executed on a warrant on that same premises, locating over 1000 sticks of illicit cigarettes.
A 45-year-old Winter Valley man was arrested and interviewed by police in relation to possessing drugs of dependence, possess illicit tobacco, possessing proceeds of crime and weapons offences.
He was expected to be charged on summons.
Anyone with information on illicit tobacco was urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers website online.