POLICE have made multiple arrests within Wangaratta and the North East following a major ongoing investigation into organised crime across the region.

Detective Sergeant Chris Hill of Wangaratta Criminal Investigation Unit said a 33-year-old Wangaratta man, a 37-year-old Yarrawonga man, a 36-year-old Wangaratta man, a 33-year-old Wangaratta woman and a 22-year-old Cobram woman were taken into custody on Wednesday.

The three men were remanded in custody and faced Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Thursday while the women were charged and bailed.

Det Sgt Hill said the 33-year-old Wangaratta man was charged and remanded on a number of charges including trafficking commercial amounts of meth and cocaine, gun trafficking, arson and insurance fraud.

The Yarrawonga man was also charged with drug and gun trafficking and conduct endangering life.

Det Sgt Hill said the 37-year-old man allegedly fired multiple shots from a firearm at a vehicle in Warrick Street, Yarrawonga on 5 March.

The 36-year-old man was charged with trafficking ecstasy, acquiring firearms and illicit ammunition and possession of a trafficable quantity of marijuana.

A 33-year-old Wangaratta woman was charged with three counts of drug trafficking, including MDMA and cocaine, while in Cobram, a 22-year-old woman was charged with two counts of drug trafficking and possession of prohibitive weapons and an imitation firearm.

Det Sgt Hill said the arrests came following a long-term investigation spanning more than 12 months into organised crime from Cobram to Wangaratta.