Properties in Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong were raided by police early yesterday morning as part of an operation targeting a Middle Eastern crime syndicate.
More than 700 police executed 45 search warrants across the northern and western suburbs, including Altona, Altona Meadows, Altona North, Williamstown North, Kingsville South and Maribyrnong.
Warrants were issued following an investigation by the Santiago taskforce, which was set up in October 2008 to address serious and organised crime, including shooting incidents involving a number of families and their associates. Twenty-seven people were arrested by police. More than 12 firearms, including a handgun with a silencer and a high-powered assault rifle, were seized in the “high-risk” raids.
Drugs, including 100 kilograms of cannabis, and $55,000 cash, ammunition, vehicles and stolen property were also confiscated.
Assistant Commissioner Steve Fontana said significant commercial drug trafficking charges were expected to be laid relating to methamphetamine. He said there was enough evidence to charge 19 people before the raids began, but additional charges and arrests made were a ‘‘real bonus’’.
Police were supported by the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Taxation Office and customs officers.
“We have charged a number of significant individuals who we consider were leading the syndicate,” Mr Fontana said.
‘‘We’re not going to stop our investigations, so if they want to be involved in this criminal activity, and some is quite violent activity, we are going to target them.’’
