CHELTENHAM — Police have uncovered what they describe as a clandestine firearms manufacturing operation centred on 3D-printed weapons and illegal firearm parts, following a targeted investigation into suspicious weapons transactions.
The inquiry, led by Victoria Police’s Illicit Firearms Squad, culminated in the arrest of a 30-year-old Bentleigh East man last week. Officers executed search warrants at a Cheltenham factory and the man’s Bentleigh East home, seizing a haul of illicit weapons, firearm components, drugs, cash and equipment linked to both firearms and drug production.
Among the items seized were:
- A privately made 3D handgun and two 3D revolvers
- Additional 3D-printed handgun parts and commercial firearm parts
- A semiautomatic pistol
- An imitation Colt 1911 suspected of being modified to fire live ammunition
- Two 3D printers
- Large quantities of ammunition
- Bags containing blue and white crystal substances
- Chemicals used in drug manufacturing
- Approximately $20,000 in cash
- A counterfeit South Australian firearms licence
Detectives allege the man was actively engaged in manufacturing firearms using 3D-printing technology, as well as possessing a traffickable quantity of unregistered guns. He now faces 27 charges, including firearms manufacturing, possessing parts and equipment for manufacturing firearms, and multiple drug and dishonesty offences.
The accused was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 6 October.
Detective Inspector Julie Macdonald of the Illicit Firearms Squad said the case underscored the critical role that community tip-offs play in disrupting illegal firearm activities.
“We’ve said it before, but information provided by industry, members of the public, anyone – is invaluable, and we will always act upon it,” Insp. Macdonald said.
“If you see something suspicious, say something. It can always be reported anonymously via the Crime Stoppers online platform. We continue to work with firearms dealers to ensure reporting of any suspicious transactions or any attempts to purchase firearms or parts outside of the registered firearms licence holder’s categories.”
Police investigations into the broader supply chain of the weapons and substances remain ongoing.
