Seven people have been arrested following a targeted police operation in Orbost, with officers seizing homemade firearms, drugs, illicit tobacco, and a significant quantity of cash.
Operation Hollow focused on disrupting alleged firearms manufacturing, drug trafficking, and the supply of illicit tobacco in Orbost.
Led by the East Gippsland Crime Investigation Unit, the operation was supported by local uniform members, the Eastern Region Crime Squad, and the Dog Squad.
“Orbost is a small, tight-knit community — and the majority of people here do the right thing,” East Gippsland Crime Investigation Unit Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Jolley said.
“We will continue to target those allegedly involved in manufacturing of firearms, trafficking drugs and the distribution of illicit tobacco — no matter how remote the location.
“Disrupting this type of offending is critical to reducing harm and keeping our community safe — and the support from local community plays an important role in helping us do that.”
Last Tuesday police executed seven search warrants at addresses in Orbost.
As a result, officers seized:
– Three homemade firearms and related firearm components
– Ammunition and prohibited weapons
– Quantities of methylamphetamine and cannabis
– More than $13 000 cash
Police also executed a warrant at a local tobacconist, seizing over $110,000 worth of illicit tobacco, including approximately 5kg of loose tobacco.
Seven people from Orbost
were arrested during the
series of warrants including:
– A 50-year-old man is expected to be charged for possess methylamphetamine, fail to provide assistance and further commonwealth charges for alleged tax evasion. He was released pending summons.
– A 43-year-old woman is expected to be charged with possess illicit tobacco. She was released pending summons.
– A 50-year-old man was charged with possess cannabis and bailed to appear at Orbost Magistrates’ Court on August 28.
– A 21-year-old man is expected to be charged with possess cannabis and fail to store a Category A/B firearm correctly. He was released pending summons.
– An 18-year-old man is expected to be charged with possess cannabis, possess cartridge ammo without licence. He was released pending summons.
– A 35-year-old woman was charged with possess cannabis and proceeds of crime. She was released and will appear in Orbost Magistrates’ Court at a later date.
– A 22-year-old man was processed for weapons offences and released pending summons.
