Police have arrested nine people and seized multiple firearms and commercial quantities of illicit drugs this week in Mildura.
The arrests come as part of Operation Durango, an extensive six-month investigation into an alleged organised crime syndicate trafficking a variety of illicit drugs in the Mildura area.
The operation was led by Mallee Divisional Response Unit and supported by specialist units from Mildura including the Crime Investigation Unit (CIU), Family Violence Investigation Unit (FVIU), Sexual Offences and Child-abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT), Divisional Intelligence Unit (DIU), Technical Services Unit, Dog Squad, Air Wing, and Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT).
As part of the operation, police executed six search warrants at properties across Mildura.
Police seized, a 12-gauge shotgun, a rifle, a handgun, traffickable quantities of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, approximately $13,000 cash and a stolen motorcycle and power tools.
Police also seized a modified Holden Commodore valued at $60,000 which they allege was purchased and modified from proceeds of crime.
Inspector David Rowe, Mildura Investigation and Response Manager says “Every illicit drug and firearm we remove from the streets is not only a victory against crime, but a step towards a safer community”.
