By Luke Voogt
Police will today launch their Dob in a Dealer campaign after officers arrested a wanted fugitive allegedly in possession of drugs and firearms during a Newtown raid.
Tip-offs were vital in locating the 33-year-old St Albans Park man, who was on parole for a violent burglary in 2012, said Geelong Inspector Paul Edebone.
“Intelligence suggested he was trafficking a large amount of drugs on top of being a fugitive.”
Insp Edebone coordinated Geelong Divisional Response Unit during the Saffron Street raid on 29 October.
Two unmarked police cars blocked off the street as Special Operations Group officers, armed with assault rifles, exited a black van and prepared to storm the house.
An officer with a megaphone called for the man to come out of the house and police arrested him soon after.
Police had been hunting him since he cut off his electronic ankle device, thereby breaching his parole, Insp Edebone said.
The arresting officers discovered firearms and drugs including ice during the raid, he said.
Police charged the man with firearms and drug offences, and breaching parole, and remanded him into custody that evening, Insp Edebone said.
Insp Edebone urged residents to help fight the supply and manufacture of life-ruining illicit drugs, ahead of launching the Dob in a Dealer campaign in Geelong today.
“We’re not asking you to tell on your mates, we’re asking you to support your mates, your family and your colleagues,“ he said.
Reports on illegal drug activity to Geelong police more than doubled during the national campaign in 2016, Insp Edebone said.
“Over a period of month it’s magnified 250 per cent.”
The information police received was vital in cementing their intelligence on major drug traffickers in Geelong, Insp Edebone said.
“You don’t have to have the complete story. Your small piece of information could be the missing piece of the puzzle.”
Insp Edebone said illicit drugs were a problem across all of Geelong and the Surf Coast.
“There’s no one particular drug hot spot.”
Crime Stoppers Victoria chief executive office Erika Owens said public support was crucial in stopping the supply chain of illicit drugs.
“Criminal drug related activity is not only costing millions of dollars in healthcare and law enforcement, but it is tragically and unnecessarily costing human lives.”
