POLICE have smashed open an alleged drug trafficking network operating throughout Ballarat and Bacchus Marsh, charging 21 people across the region this week.
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And in doing so they have seized the largest number of firearms in the region's history as part of Operation Incurable.
Warrants were issued at properties across the western region including Smythesdale, Haddon and Delacombe where police seized hundreds of items including thousands of ecstasy tablets, cash, stolen vehicles including four motorbikes and even a concrete leveller valued at $250,000.
But it is the firearm haul that has police shocked, with more than 30 guns and tasers seized as part of the operation.
A number of alleged offenders have been remanded in custody, while others have been bailed to appear in court next year.
Ballarat investigation and response manager inspector Greg Payne confirmed it was the largest seizure of guns ever recorded across the western region of the state.
"This is the biggest haul of weapons in this area and the result of four days of executing warrants across the region," Inspector Payne said.
"We're taking these weapons off the streets and ensuring they're not in the hands of the wrong people."
Among those charged include a 45-year-old Mount Pleasant man who has been charged with two counts of allegedly trafficking a commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, possess a traffickable quantity of firearms, proceeds of crime and handle stolen goods. He has been remanded in custody.
A 49-year-old Haddon man has been charged with alleged trafficking of a drug of dependence, possessing firearms and proceeds of crime while a 26-year-old Wendouree woman has been charged with trafficking a drug of dependence, possessing a drug of dependence, proceeds of crime and handling stolen goods. Both have also been remanded.
The ages of the people charged range from a 17-year-old boy up to a 72-year-old Bacchus Marsh man.
Others to be remanded include a 40-year-old Ballarat man who has been charged with alleged trafficking a drug of dependence, possessing a drug of dependence, handling stolen goods and proceeds of crime.
A 32-year-old Ballarat woman was charged with alleged trafficking a drug of dependence and possessing a drug of dependence and a 32-year-old Alfredton man with alleged trafficking a drug of dependence and possessing drug of dependence. They have been remanded in custody.
The arrests come as part of a special taskforce involving police from all divisions including Divisional Response units, Criminal Investigation units, Sexual Offences Child Abuse Investigation teams, Family Violence investigation units, Crime Scene units and uniform officers.
The week targeted drug trafficking, high-volume crime, and aggravated burglaries.
Full list of items seized
- Four stolen motorbikes including a Harley Davison
- Seven stolen cars, five cars seized as proceeds of crime
- 30 firearms including two .22 calibre handguns 2 imitation firearms
- Ammunition
- More than 3300 ecstasy tablets
- 1000 Xantax tablets
- Two litres of GHB
- Heroin
- MDMA
- Cannabis
- Cocaine
- LSD
- Multiple chainsaws and nail guns
- Concrete leveller worth approximately $250,000
Full list of firearms seized
- Benelli Shotgun M446991
- Howa + scope + bipod 1500 centralfire B367682
- Churchill Shotgun 12303790
- Zastava + scope 35422
- Adler shotgun
- Air rifle
- Sportco 12 gauge shotgun
- Rossi Rio grandee CF MA039396
- Howa nil bolt CF 22/250 B298764 scope
- Winchester 1200 Shotgun L1201716
- Winchester 92 CF 25/20 962268
- BSA Sportsman RF .22 KB36447
- Miroku Shotgun 12 gauge 55152M2
- Tikka T3 (nil mag) CF 223 427334 w scope
- Winchester 94 Centralfire 30/30 CK09476
- Roger CF 458 13433363 w scope
- BSA CF 310 20275
- Norica Jet Air Rifle S/N 44-IL-06910-96
- Moroku 12 guage shotgun S/N 52039MZ
- Weatherly vanguard bolt action rifle S/N VB650360
- .22 Browning pistol
- Winchester .22 lever action F495594
- longarm rifle Bruno SN 237675
- Ned Kelly replica pistol
- Remington Shotgun
- Lithgow Bolt Action .22 calibre rifle
- Black Handgun
- Black coloured imitation firearm (gel gun)
- Green imitation firearm
- Taser/stun gun black
- Taser torch - police brand
- Police torch Taser black HY-X8
- Homemade taser
- Three tasers
- M23 Military Grenade
Full list of charges
- A 45-year-old Mt Pleasant man has been charged with two counts of trafficking a commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, possess a traffickable quantity of firearms, proceeds of crime and handle stolen goods. He has been remanded in custody.
- A 49-year-old Haddon man has been charged with trafficking a drug of dependence, possess firearms and proceeds of crime. He has been remanded in custody.
- A 26-year-old Wendouree woman has been charged with trafficking drug of dependence, possessing drug of dependence, proceeds of crime and handle stolen goods. She has been remanded in custody.
- A 43-year-old Smythesdale man has been charged with handle stolen goods and fail to secure firearms safely. He has been bailed to appear Ballarat Magistrates' Court
- A 38-year-old Delacombe man has been charged with reckless conduct endangering life, trafficking drug of dependence, possessing drug of dependence, proceeds of crime and handle stolen goods. He has been remanded in custody.
- A 21-year-old Haddon man has been charged with possess drug of dependence and has been bailed to appear Ballarat Magistrates' Court
- A 21-year-old Mt. Clear man has been charged with aggravated burglary, theft of motor vehicle, reckless conduct endangering life and he has been remanded in custody.
- A 24-year-old Ballarat woman has been charged with theft of motor vehicle. She has been bailed to appear at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court.
- A 17-year-old boy has been charged with theft of motor vehicle, reckless conduct endangering life and he has been remanded in custody to appear at court at a later date.
- A 40-year-old Ballarat man has been charged with trafficking a drug of dependence, possess drug of dependence, handle stolen goods and proceeds of crime. He has been remanded in custody
- A 32-year-old Ballarat woman has been charged with trafficking drug of dependence and possessing drug of dependence. She has been remanded in custody.
- A 32-year-old Alfredton man has been charged with trafficking drug of dependence and possessing drug of dependence. He has been remanded in custody.
- A 30-year-old Delacombe man has been charged with possess prohibited weapon, possess drug of dependence and bail offences. He has been bailed and was released for a later court date in 2020.
- A 22-year-old Delacombe woman has been charged with possessing drug of dependence. She has been bailed to appear at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court
- A 23-year-old Clifton Springs woman has been charged with possessing a drug of dependence. She has been bailed to appear at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court.
- A 40-year-old Bacchus Marsh man has been charged with possessing explosives, possess firearms, cultivate narcotic plant, possess drug of dependence. He has been bailed to appear at the Bacchus Marsh Magistrates' Court.
- A 27-year-old Bacchus Marsh woman has been charged with cultivating a narcotic plant and possess drug of dependence. She has been bailed to appear at the Bacchus Marsh Magistrates' Court.
- A 43-year-old Bacchus Marsh man has been charged with cultivating a narcotic plant and possess drug of dependence. He has been bailed to appear at the Bacchus Magistrates' Court.
- A 72-year-old Bacchus Marsh man has been cautioned for possessing a drug of dependence.
- A 36-year-old Alfredton woman has been cautioned for possessing a drug of dependence.
- A 55-year-old Ballarat East man has been charged with possessing drug of dependence. He has been bailed to appear at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court.
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