Police across two states have made dozens of arrests and seized weapons, including a 3D printer with firearm parts, in a week-long raid targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs.
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Specialist officers from Victoria Police's VIPER taskforce and NSW Police's criminal groups and Raptor squads have arrested 47 people, laid 112 charges and executed 47 compliance checks in their annual operation, NSW Police said.
The raids, which started on Monday, focused on northeast Victoria and southern NSW.
NSW authorities on Monday arrested five people in Albury following a car chase, involving an alleged stolen vehicle, which began in Victoria.
A 29-year-old driver was charged with three offences and a 36-year-old passenger was charged with two offences before he was slapped with an additional 57 drug supply offences charges from a separate investigation.
Two female passengers, aged 23 and 29, were charged with domestic violence charges and possessing illicit drugs, respectively, while a 28-year-old woman was released pending further inquiries.
A 63-year-old senior outlaw motorcycle gang member in Lavington was arrested and charged after officers found drugs, cash and items used for drug supply during a compliance check.
Victorian officers on Tuesday charged a 39-year-old Wodonga man with a series of drugs, theft and weapons offences after they seized a 3D printer, 3D firearm printed parts, various amounts of meth and cocaine and an allegedly stolen motorcycle.
Victoria Police Detective Inspector Craig Darlow said criminal organisations and outlaw motorcycle gangs were disrupted by the cross-border operation between the two forces.
"If you are involved in organised criminal activity, you will be detected and you will be held accountable, irrespective of a state border," Insp Darlow said.
"We are working together, and we will be relentless. You cannot hide, and we will not stop."
The surge of specialist resources over the operation boosted authorities' crime-fighting capabilities and will have lasting impact going forward, NSW Police Acting Superintendent Glyn Baker said.
"This type of saturation model - where specialist squads deploy and focus on a particular area for a short space of time - is a proven method of crime-fighting," he said.
The operation continues until Friday.
Australian Associated Press
