Youth gangs' alleged weapon supplier arrested over machete sales

A man has been charged for supplying hundreds of machetes, knives, knuckle dusters and imitation guns to alleged youth gang members.

The 52-year-old Cranbourne North man was charged with 140 weapons and drug supply offences after police raided two shops and factory in Melbourne's south east in October 2023.

During the searches investigators found 402 weapons including butterfly knives, zombies knives, axes, samurai swords, flick knives and laser pointers at the Narre Warren, Dandenong South and Boronia sites.

Police also seized more than 100 packets of illegal cigarettes, $461,000 worth of vapes and drugs including methylamphetamine, cannabis and prescription medication.

The alleged weapons trader was charged with 140 offences and is expected to appear in Dandenong Magistrate's Court on July 16, 2024.

Police said around 250 youth gang members in Victoria presented "a specific challenge" for police.

Almost 60 alleged offenders were arrested more than ten times in the past 12 months, police said.

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