Two charged by Taskforce Lunar following northern suburbs incidents

Detectives from Taskforce Lunar have charged two people following a number of incidents earlier this year including an aggravated home invasion in Craigieburn and a burglary in Broadmeadows.

Warrants were executed at two residential addresses in Kalkallo and Keilor Downs yesterday with assistance from the VIPER Taskforce and Mill Park Divisional Response Unit.

A 32-year-old Kalkallo man and a 36-year-old Keilor Downs man were arrested and interviewed by police.

The Kalkallo man was charged with aggravated home invasion, burglary, theft and possess drug of dependence.

He was remanded overnight to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.

The Keilor Downs man was charged with possess drug of dependence and bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 18 December.

Police also seized a number of items from the addresses including two vehicles, two ballistic vests, cloned numberplates, over 3000 illicit vapes, a quantity of steroids and a range of allegedly stolen property.

Yesterday’s arrests form part of an investigation into an organised crime syndicate involved in a range of offences including extortion and money laundering linked to the illicit tobacco trade.

On 15 July, police seized a number of devices as part of this investigation and uncovered evidence of two alleged incidents on 24 June including an aggravated home invasion in Craigieburn and a burglary at a business premises in Broadmeadows.

Neither incident was reported to police at the time they occurred.

The investigation into these incidents and the organised crime syndicate remains ongoing.

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

Natalie Webster

Media Unit

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