June 9th 2004 - Channel 7 news

Detectives investigating Melbourne's gangland killings have charged four men, including alleged drug trafficker Carl Williams, with conspiracy to murder.

The four were arrested during raids across Melbourne this morning, and have been remanded in custody to face the Melbourne Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Williams, 33, is already on bail over a $20 million drug bust.
He is now facing counts of conspiracy to murder and incitement to murder.
William's wife Roberta spent much of the day trying to see her husband.
"I don't know [how Williams is]... I'm going to speak to the lawyers now to find out," she said.

Assistant Commissioner Simon Overland describes the arrests as a breakthrough in investigations into Melbourne's gangland killings.
"We're very pleased with the progress that has been made," he said.
"We still have a lot of work to do but we're quietly confident that this will prove to be very significant."

Police have refused to release details of the intended victim of the alleged plot, but they have confirmed he has links to the underworld.
Mr Overland says that person is receiving police protection.
"Even in the charging we won't be making that known, we have advice from the Office of Public Prosecutions in relation to that," he said.
"I understand there will be an inclination to want to find out who the target was.
"Please be responsible, potentially people's lives are at stake here."
Williams and a 16-year-old boy were arrested at Williams's mother's house.
His arrest coincided with a raid at Brighton early this morning where the two other men were arrested and a hand gun confiscated.

Police say they planned today's operation in response to an alleged plot to kill a major and well known underworld figure.
Around 150 police officers worked on the operation, which involved raids at Brighton, Boronia, Noble Park, Wantirna, Clifton Hill and Essendon.

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