Police arrest 26 people targeting criminal groups and outlaw motorcycle gangs
A joint operation by Victorian and NSW police has netted 26 people on 60 charges including drugs and firearms offences.
Police targeted outlaw motorcycle gangs and organised crime syndicates during the week-long operation.
Police allege a semi-automatic rifle and 816 rounds of improperly stored ammunition were seized in a raid at Wharparilla in northern Victoria on Monday.
A 42-year-old Wharparilla man was charged and was due to face court in Echuca in August.
Later that morning, in Deniliquin, police allege they found a 3D printer being used to create a butterfly knife, and more than 40 cannabis seeds, two number plates and other drugs.
On Wednesday in the northern Victorian town of Strathmerton, a man and a woman, both aged 39, were arrested and charged with 24 offences including trafficking and possessing methylamphetamine.
Andrew Koutsoufis says police's commitment to making NSW safer is absolute.
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ABC News: Erin Somerville
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"The message is clear. If you are involved in serious violent crime we will find you,"
Detective Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis said.
A man was arrested by police in Albury during the operation.
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Supplied: NSW Police
)
"Recent reports suggest that outlaw motorcycle gangs pose the greatest organised crime threat to Australia," he said.
"They are involved in high level drug crime [and] serious violent crime."
Police officers were in Albury as part of the operation.
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ABC Goulburn Murray: Erin Somerville
)
Victorian police officer Craig Darlow said Wodonga, Cobram and Echuca were emerging as crime hotspots.
"Over the course of these operations we have seen consistent results," Detective Inspector Darlow said.
"
(I am) not sure I would say it is ramping up, but [there has been] consistent seizure on these deployments.
"
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