GUNS, DRUGS FIND AT POLICE STATION

Police internal investigators yesterday seized heroin, cannabis, illegal
guns and money from the headquarters of the Criminal Intelligence Unit in
St Kilda.

The seizures came during a routine visit to the station after they received
an anonymous statement from a police member complaining of management
problems at the station, including concerns over the number of detectives
taking sick leave.

Sources said the "visit" became a raid when Ethical Standard Department
investigators began to search lockers.

It is believed investigators then called in forensic and crime scene
experts to conduct a thorough search of the office and photograph the area
as possible court exhibits.

Police sources said the search uncovered several guns, including a sawn-off
rifle, cannabis seeds, money and white powder that was found to be heroin.

It is believed the items were not registered in the station's property
book.

The guns will be tested by ballistics experts to see if they match weapons
used in any known crimes. Items were believed to be found in the ceiling
and locker rooms of the station.

Police sources said the search concentrated on the second floor CIU office
and the first and ground floor uniform branches remained open.

St Kilda is one of the busiest police stations in Australia and has a large
uniform and detective force.

One St Kilda policeman said yesterday he was concerned the raids would have
a bad impact on the station and unfairly implicate the whole workforce.

It is believed that Peter Pilarinos, a drug trafficker convicted of bribing
former drug squad detective Kevin Hicks, has made extensive statements on
police corruption that has implicated at least one detective who worked at
St Kilda.

Pilarinos, who bribed Hicks to provide seized drugs kept at the drug squad
lock-up in Attwood, is believed to have made allegations going back 15
years and has named a large number of police.

None of his claims have been confirmed.

Pilarinos and Hicks are expected to be sentenced later this month in the
Supreme Court.