Victoria and NSW police conducted a cross-border operation in the region this week. Pictured are members of Victoria Police’s Viper Taskforce at the Port of Echuca.
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Local officers helped Victoria and NSW police in a cross-border operation this week, targeting organised crime and outlaw motorcycle gangs in the region.
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Operation Blue Ember saw Victoria’s Viper Taskforce and NSW’s Raptor Squad gather for the third annual week of operations.
During the week, Viper Taskforce was helped by Echuca and Wodonga police to execute a total of eight warrants.
The operation began on Monday, April 28 and concluded on Friday, May 2.
On Monday, a search warrant was executed at a Wharparilla property.
A semi-automatic rifle, 816 rounds of improperly stored rounds, six registered firearms, 300 rounds and a small quantity of cannabis was seized.
Viper Taskforce officers loading seized goods into a police vehicle outside a Wharparilla property on Monday, April 28.
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A 42-year-old Wharparilla man was charged with possessing an illicit firearm, incorrect storage of ammunition and possessing a drug of dependence.
His firearms’ licence was suspended, and he was bailed to appear at Echuca Magistrates’ Court on August 5.
About 10.40am on Monday, operation officers conducted a Firearm Prohibition Order compliance check at a home in Deniliquin.
During the search, officers allegedly located and seized a 3D printer that was being used to create a butterfly knife.
Forty-one cannabis seeds, small amounts of methamphetamine, cannabis and two number plates were also seized, and inquiries are continuing.
On Wednesday, April 30, Viper members assisted Cobram Crime Investigation Unit with a search warrant in Strathmerton, with a man and a woman charged with a cumulative total of 24 offences including trafficking and possessing methamphetamines, possessing prescription medication, and theft.
They were bailed to face Cobram Magistrates’ Court in October.
Over the week, there were 26 Firearm Prohibition Order compliance searches, 26 arrests and 60 charges laid across towns in northern Victoria and southern NSW.
Victoria Police detective inspector Craig Darlow of Viper Taskforce said both police agencies would continue to focus their attention on organised crime.
Officers from NSW’s Raptor Squad and Victoria’s Viper Taskforce at a Mongols convoy stop. Photo: State of NSW (NSW Police Force).
NSW Police Force detective superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis of Raptor Squad praised the continued collaboration between the agencies.
“The relationship between Victoria and NSW police has never been stronger, and interstate surge operations like Operation Blue Ember continue to strengthen that relationship,” he said.
Anyone with information about organised criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au
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