Two men are facing significant time behind bars after police allegedly seized traffickable amounts of firearms and located a cannabis lab in Lakes Entrance on Tuesday March 28 2023.
With assistance from the Critical Incident Response Team, East Gippsland detectives executed multiple search warrants at three residential properties in Lakes Entrance and Nowa Nowa.
Over the course of the searches, police said they seized:
• A 30/30 Winchester rifle allegedly stolen from a burglary in Stratford on 14 November 2022.
• A .22 S/L/LR arms rifle
• A bolt action rifle
• A gel blaster handgun
• 26 rounds of .22 calibre ammunition
• Approximately 20 grams of Cannabis
Police said they also located a hydroponic cannabis lab at a property in Lakes Entrance, which included four cannabis plants.
Those arrested by police include:
• A 22-year-old man from Lakes Entrance was charged with possess traffickable quantity of firearm and prohibited person possess firearm. He was remanded in custody and subsequently bailed to appear at Bairnsdale Magistrates Court on April 112023.
• A 35-year-old man from Lakes Entrance was charged with possess cannabis, cultivate cannabis and possess imitation firearm. He was bailed to appear at Bairnsdale Magistrates Court on August 2 2023.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Matthew Argentino, East Gippsland Investigations Manager, said: “Community safety is our number one priority, which is why we will continue to remove illicit firearms and drugs from our streets.”
Anyone with information about illicit firearm or drug activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to crimestoppersvic.com.au
