Police have charged a Cranbourne man with 40 offences after a hoard of privately manufactured firearms, parts, imitation guns, ammunition and drugs were uncovered at a Cranbourne residence.
The investigation commenced in partnership with the Australian Border Force (ABF) and led to a search warrant being executed at a residential address on Friday 20 June.
Detectives seized more than 50 items, including six privately manufactured firearms, 14 imitation pistols and longarm weapons, a 3D printed firearms silencer, a large quantity of cartridge ammunition and a variety of metal tubing and springs believed to be intended for manufacturing firearms.
Various quantities of drugs of dependence were also seized, including approximately 1 L of 1,4-Butanediol and 25g of methamphetamine.
There was also a range of other weapons and mobile phones located during the search.
Three men were arrested at the scene.
A 37-year-old Cranbourne man was subsequently charged with a range of offences, including:
• manufacture firearm
• possess parts for manufacturing firearms
• possess equipment for manufacturing firearms
• possess traffickable quantity of unregistered firearms
• possess general category handgun
• possess imitation firearm
• possess ammunition without licence
• possess prohibited weapon
• traffick methylamphetamine
• traffick 1,4-butanediol
• possess drug of dependence
He was bailed to face Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 16 July.
The ABF will also charge the man with unlawfully importing Tier 2 goods, under the Customs Act 1901.
A 38-year-old Cranbourne man was charged with possessing methamphetamine and bailed to face Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 16 July.
A 51-year-old Cranbourne man was released pending further enquiries.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the items which were seized during the warrant will be forensically examined.
Detective Inspector Julie Macdonald from Illicit Firearms & Vehicle Crime Squads said: “The Illicit Firearms Squad continues to work with partner agencies to keep the community safe from illicit firearms.
“We take all illicit firearms manufacture seriously, regardless of whether they are privately made, as they can have lethal consequences.
“We urge anyone with information on the illicit manufacture, trafficking or importation of firearms to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
ABF Investigations Superintendent Ben Michalke said: “Our officers are the first line of defence at the Australian border, but our work reaches far beyond.
“Whether it’s drugs or illicit firearms and weapons, the Australian Border Force stands between the dangers these items pose and the Australian community.
“We call upon members of the community to assist us in this important work. If you see or hear of any suspicious border-related activity, then you can make an anonymous report through our Border Watch online portal.”
As part of an ongoing national firearms amnesty, you can hand in any unregistered or unwanted firearms to a police station or a local firearms dealer.
