Australia: Police arrest 29 in cross-border organised crime blitz on NSW-Victoria border

Police in Victoria and New South Wales have arrested 29 people during a five-day operation targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs and organised crime along the border.

The joint blitz focused on Victoria's north-east and southern New South Wales.

Officers from the Victoria Police VIPER taskforce, the NSW Police Force Raptor squad and local police carried out vehicle stops and search warrants during the operation, which began on Monday.

Police said they seized three guns, including a sawn-off .22, along with cannabis, cocaine, methylamphetamine, GHB, steroids and cash.

Highway patrol units stopped 68 vehicles and impounded seven.

Police also said more than 60 drivers tested positive to drugs and alcohol, while a number of people were charged and will face court later in the year.

The operation is significant because it brought together specialist units from both states in a coordinated effort against criminal networks operating across the border.

Victoria Police Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason said the approach gave police the best chance of disrupting outlaw motorcycle gangs and organised crime.

Police said one search warrant was executed at properties in Cobram linked to the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang.

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