Alleged underworld boss Fadi Haddara will no longer face gun charges after police withdrew them before he was due to contest their evidence at court.
Haddara had been due to fight the four charges in a hearing at Melbourne Magistrates Court at 10am on Thursday, however he did not show up to court.
His lawyer, gangland barrister Zarah Garde-Wilson, appeared on his behalf for a brief hearing at 9.30am where police withdrew all of the outstanding charges against him.
This included possessing two or more unregistered firearms, possessing a firearm while under a prohibition order and dishonest retention of a stolen good by possessing a 9mm Luger Glock handgun.
Victoria Police said detectives investigating illicit tobacco and organised crime, known as Taskforce Lunar, conducted a "significant investigation" into the location of four firearms in Altona North in 2022.
Haddara was subsequently charged, however police decided to withdraw the charges after assessing the evidence.
"After consideration and evaluation of the available evidence, it was determined that charges would be withdrawn," the spokeswoman said.
"Any further information received in relation to the matter will be carefully assessed."
Magistrate Vincenzo Caltabiano agreed to withdraw the charges against Haddara on Thursday, and ordered Victoria Police pay court costs of $20,000.
Haddara had previously been facing an additional charge of affray by using unlawful violence, over an incident in Altona North in November 2022, but this was withdrawn in March 2024.
