Man charged with alleged gun trafficking

Detectives from the Illicit Firearms Squad have charged 37-year-old Cranbourne East man Anthony Robert Espenszid after illegal firearms and drugs were allegedly found at a premises.

Police say they seized five firearms and various drugs of dependence following a gun-trafficking investigation at the property on Monahans Road in Cranbourne East.

A bolt action rifle, a sawn-off double barrel shotgun, a singe barrel sawn-off shotgun, two air rifles, various ammunition, and various amounts of what appear to be dried cannabis, methylamphetamine and ecstasy tablets were found, police say.

Espenszid did not apply for bail at a hearing at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 23 June.

He faced five counts of being a prohibited person possessing a firearm and a charge of possessing two or more firearms not in accordance with the Firearms Act.

He was also charged with possessing meth, cannabis and ecstasy and an unauthorised possession of ammunition.

A defence lawyer told the court that Espenszid suffered cellulitis and required a psychiatric nurse.

He was remanded in custody to appear at a committal mention at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 15 September.