Man arrested for Melbourne gangland murder

A man has been arrested over the execution-style shooting death of Melbourne gangland identity Richard Mladenich nearly 20 years ago.

Police on Wednesday arrested a 44-year-old Brunswick West man who will be questioned over the murder.

The gangland-hunting Purana Taskforce said they will also be questioning the man in relation to other crimes, including alleged cocaine trafficking.

Officers raided a home on Moreland Road and the man was arrested nearby.

Mladenich, 37, was shot in the head at St Kilda's Esquire Motel on May 16, 2000. He had previously worked as a bodyguard for crime boss Carl Williams.

Authorities renewed their appeal to solve the murder in July, releasing new photos of the crime scene. After Wednesday's arrest, the force said a $1 million reward for information remained on offer.

Mr Mladenich's sibling was part of July's appeal for information.

"I have not had a decent day for 19 years thinking about what could have happened to my brother," he said at the time.

"He left a heartbroken mother, a brother and a family. He didn't deserve what he got. He was a good family member ...he was a thug to a certain degree."

The family was unaware of his gangland associations.