Man charged after heavily armed police swarmed home in Melbourne’s south-west
A man has been charged following a major police operation at an address in Melbourne’s south-west.
The 44-year-old Spotswood man’s been charged by Illicit Firearms Squad detectives tonight as part of an investigation into firearms and drug trafficking.
A 44-year-old Spotswood man’s been charged as part of an investigation into firearm and drug trafficking. 9News
Members of the Special Operations Group attended the property on Hudsons Road at about 8.50am to execute a warrant as part of their investigation.
Police allege the man was uncooperative and armed with a firearm, with the situation quickly turning into a siege.
Following 90-minutes of negotiations with police, the man was arrested at 10.20am outside the property.
He was subsequently charged with several offences and will face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.
The man was subsequently charged with several offences and will face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow. 9News
The 44-year-old’s charges include: traffic commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, use firearm in contravention of firearms prohibition order, prohibited person use a firearm, discharge firearm at premises, deal with property suspected proceeds of crime and several drug possession offences.
Following a search of the Spotswood property, police seized a firearm, mobile phones, laptops, watches, OC spray and drugs including methylamphetamine and testosterone.
A 36-year-old Spotswood woman was also interviewed by detectives and has been released, pending further enquiries.
The man was arrested after a two-hour stand-off with police. 9News
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9News obtained dramatic footage of the man being detained and led away from the property by police.
Neighbours anxiously waited inside their homes as the siege unfolded.
One witness said there was “a lot of negotiation going on”.
“It sent shockwaves through us, a bit scary... being so close to home.”
Residents around the area were urged to stay inside. 9News
Residents around the area had been urged to stay inside and officers asked people to avoid Hudsons Road.
Those in the area between Hicks Street and Melbourne road and between Birmingham Street and The Avenue were asked to stay inside their homes.
A large part of the road on Hudsons Road was blocked, including an area near a primary school, but it’s since been cleared.
It is believed the same home was raided by police around 12 months ago.
The property was searched at the time and a 43-year-old man was arrested.
There is no ongoing risk to the community, police confirmed.
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