Nineteen people were arrested and multiple firearms seized as part of a week-long operation targeting firearms, drugs and people of interest in the Shepparton and Wallan areas.
Police executed 12 search warrants and 11 firearm prohibition order searches between April 24 and 28.
Police said among items seized were two firearms, two imitation firearms, drugs including cannabis, GHB and methamphetamines, two stolen motorcycles and more than $25,000 in cash.
Eleven of the search warrants were executed in Shepparton, Mooroopna and Kialla, and one in Wallan.
The Goulburn Valley searches saw a firearm, imitation firearms, controlled weapons, prohibited weapons, cash, ammunition, cannabis, methamphetamines and prescription medication seized, police said.
Drugs and prohibited weapons were seized in Wallan.
Police also conducted 11 firearm prohibition order searches during the operation, with six in Shepparton, Mooroopna and Kialla, and five in Wallan, Wandong and Glenaroua.
Cannabis was seized in the Goulburn Valley searches, while two allegedly stolen motorcycles, prohibited weapons, cannabis and methamphetamines were seized from the Mitchell properties.
As part of the operation, detectives from Shepparton and Mitchell were supported by specialist police from Crime Command’s Viper Taskforce, Dog Squad and Air Wing.
Police said among those arrested was a 20-year-old Shepparton man, who was charged after police allegedly located a .22 firearm, imitation firearm, prohibited weapons and various amounts of cannabis.
He was charged with dealing with property suspected of being the proceeds of crime, possessing a category A or B longarm firearm without licence, possessing ammunition, possessing prohibited weapons, trafficking cannabis and possessing prescription drugs without authority.
He was bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on August 18.
A 32-year-old Shepparton man was arrested and charged after police seized methamphetamines, cannabis, GHB and cash during a search at a Shepparton property.
He was charged with possessing methamphetamines, possessing cannabis, possessing GHB, dealing with property suspected to be the proceeds of crime, possessing a prohibited weapon, committing an indictable offence while on bail and contravening a bail condition.
The man was remanded overnight and appeared at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on April 26 where he pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to three months in prison.
He has appealed the decision, but no date has been set for the appeal yet.
A 32-year-old Shepparton woman was also arrested and charged after police allegedly located cannabis during a search at a property in Shepparton.
She was charged with possessing cannabis and bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on August 7.
As part of the operation, members from State Highway Patrol also targeted road safety across Shepparton and Mitchell police service areas.
This led to more than 35 traffic offences detected, three vehicles impounded, and eight drug drivers and one drink driver caught.
Police Eastern Region Division Three investigation and response manager Inspector Ash Mason said the operation was a timely reminder that police had resources such as the Viper Taskforce that they could call on to help local officers in operations, and that they would continue to do so.
He also said police would continue to come down hard on people doing the wrong thing, particularly when it came to guns.