Searches across Melbourne as part of Operation Eclipse

Police have searched seven properties across Melbourne this morning as part of the Operation Eclipse investigation into incidents targeted at Melbourne hospitality venues.

Search warrants were executed at residential addresses in Wollert, Epping, Mernda, Craigieburn and Lalor from 6am on Friday, 5 June.

Police seized a range of items from the properties including illicit tobacco, cash, steroids, a tomahawk, mobile phones and other electronic devices.

Firearm Prohibition Order searches were also conducted at two residential addresses in Mulgrave and Dandenong.

A 25-year-old Mernda man was arrested and subsequently charged with failing to provide passcode, possess prescription drug and possess controlled weapon. He was bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on 30 July.

A 28-year-old Craigieburn man was arrested and subsequently charged with failing to provide passcode. He was bailed to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on 4 December 2026.

Today’s searches involved police from a range of units including the Gang Crime Squad, Taskforce Echo, Arson and Explosives Squad, VIPER Taskforce, Southern Metro Regional Crime Squad, Southern Metro Divisional Response Unit, Merri-Bek Crime Investigation Unit, Mill Park Divisional Response Unit and North West Metro Regional Crime Squad.

Operation Eclipse commenced on 27 April to target a range of serious and organised crime syndicates believed to be involved in a series of offending linked to hospitality venues, as well as determining the motive for these attacks.

The operation, led by specialist detectives including the Gang Crime Squad and Arson and Explosives Squad continues to work closely with local police, in particular regional detectives who continue to respond to and investigate these incidents.

The specialist resources in Operation Eclipse will focus on the organisers and those pulling the strings.

Police have identified 35 incidents where licensed premises, adult entertainment venues or people associated with these businesses have been targeted, including arson attacks, kidnappings, drive-by shootings and aggravated burglaries.

Over 65 people have been arrested and charged with about 370 offences in relation to these incidents.

Investigators are continuing to look at all possible motivations behind the offending including who is involved and why.

Police remain open to a range of possibilities and we encourage anyone with any information to come forward.

Police continue to have an increased presence in both an overt and a covert capacity throughout these entertainment precincts, including increased patrols of these areas and visits to licensed premises.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Graham Banks:

“We have dozens of investigators and intelligence analysts working on identifying and commissioning these crimes, so we can best target those who are causing the greatest harm in our community.

“Operations such as this are crucial when it comes to building that contemporary intelligence picture and the devices seized today will now be analysed by our cyber specialists.

“The broader community also play a key role in helping police identify and target those involved, and I strongly encourage anyone with information about these offences to come forward and speak to us.

“As always, this can be done confidentially and your information could prove crucial in holding those responsible for putting the community at risk to account.”

Media Unit

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