CRIMINALS FEEL STING

■ Organised crime figures, including Outlaw Motorcycle Gang members, were among those targeted in a Police operation focused on preventing the transportation of weapons and drugs on key Melbourne roads.

Operation Hornets involved police swarming major arterials and main roads across Broadmeadows, Craigieburn, Campbellfield, Fawkner and Tullamarine.

As part of the operation, police scanned over 18,850 vehicles using Automatic Numberplate Recognition Technology, disrupting and intercepting those with known links to organised crime, subject to Firearm Prohibition Orders, or with a history of dangerous driving.

During the course of the operation:

■ 23 people were arrested

■ 18,854 vehicles scanned through ANPR, with a total of 78 vehicles subsequently identified by police.

■ 15 people affiliated with organised crime were checked by police, providing police with greater intelligence holdings

■ Seven Firearm Prohibition Order searches were conducted

■ Four cars were impounded Detectives from the North West Metro Regional Crime Squad were supported by the VIPER Taskforce, Achilles Taskforce, Air Wing and the Dog Squad as part of the operation.