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Police seize electric shock 'jiggers' and 'cocaine' in raid on Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Darren Weir

Police have seized four electric shock devices, known as "jiggers", during early morning twin raids on the stables of Melbourne Cup-winning horse trainer Darren Weir.

The prominent trainer was arrested along with two other men during the raids on Weir's Victorian stables at Miners Rest, near Ballarat, and Warrnambool as well as residential properties on Wednesday morning, with police also seizing a substance they believed to be cocaine.

Weir is one of the highest-profile trainers in the country and the most successful trainer in the national trainer's premiership. The Victorian trainer counts hundreds of horses as part of his stable.

Wednesday's raids are another dramatic chapter for the racing industry, still reeling from the ongoing Aquanita scandal where trainers and stablehands were found guilty of doping-related offences.

During the raids, which also occurred at residential properties in Warrnambool, Miner's Rest and Yangery, police also seized what they believed to be an unregistered firearm and what they believed to be a small quantity of cocaine along with the "jiggers".

Weir took out the 2015 Melbourne Cup with Prince of Penzance, ridden by Michelle Payne, who became the first female jockey to claim the prestigious race.

Racing Victoria CEO Giles Thompson specified that no charges had been laid. Police confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the three men have been released without charge, pending further enquiries.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Paterson confirmed three "jiggers" were seized at one property, with a fourth found at another property.

Mr Paterson confirmed police were looking at the alleged use of jiggers to "enhance the performance" of horses on race day, but said the scope of the investigation went beyond the use of jiggers and into broader integrity issues.

Uniformed and plain-clothed officers swooped on Weir's stables, following months of speculation about an ongoing an investigation.

Weir, 48, from Miners Rest, has been training horses since 1995, and famously won the 2015 Melbourne Cup.

He was arrested along with a 38-year-old Yangery man and a 26-year-old Warrnambool man.

The use of a "jigger", an electrical device, is a serious offence which can result in lengthy penalties.

Track rider Damien Bradbury was given an 18-month disqualification in 2015 after he pleaded guilty to the possession of the electrical device at Mornington racecourse.

Victorian trainer Paul Preusker was slapped with a four year disqualification and jockey Holly McKechnie was disqualified for three years for charges relating to the use of a jigger at the Horsham racecourse in 2007.

At the time the two were disqualified, the practice was described as "abhorrent " by Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board deputy chairman Brain Forrest

Meanwhile, Thompson admitted Wednesday's events were "not good for the image of racing".

Mr Thompson said the arrested men were entitled to the presumption of innocence, saying race stewards were not at the point of issuing bans on trainers or their horses.

"That may change over time," said Mr Thompson.

Detectives from Victoria Police's Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit will now interview the three men.

“Racing Victoria’s Integrity Services team has been conducting an investigation into the activities of licensed persons in the Warrnambool and Ballarat areas," Racing Victoria's executive general manager of the integrity unit, Jamie Stier, said.

"During the course of our investigation we sought the support of Victoria Police’s Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit on the matter, instigating their investigation.

“The Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit this morning executed warrants at properties in Warrnambool and Ballarat where they arrested three licensed persons for questioning."

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the trio would be interviewed in relation to sporting integrity matters, including obtaining financial advantage by deception, engaging in conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome of an event or event contingency, use of corrupt conduct information for betting purposes, and attempting to commit an indictable offence namely obtain financial advantage by deception.

Minister for Racing Martin Pakula said he was committed to maintaining the integrity of the sport and any allegations of breaches were extremely disappointing.

"This investigation demonstrates that integrity officials of Racing Victoria will enforce the rules of racing without fear or favour," Mr Pakula said.

He said it would be inappropriate to comment further on an ongoing investigation.

It is understood some vehicles and cars were also examined at Warrnambool and Ballarat.

RSN Racing & Sport radio has reported that federal police visited Weir’s Ballarat stables some weeks ago where they may have seized an item central to an ongoing inquiry.

Weir has five runners due to race at Mornington on Wednesday. He was in New Zealand at the Karaka Sales on Sunday.

Born in Berriwillock, a small Mallee District town in Victoria, Mr Weir left school at age 15 to work under experienced trainers.

He moved to Ballarat in 2001 and later acquired stables at Warrnambool to complement his Ballarat base.

Weir holds the Commonwealth training record for most number of wins in a season, first breaking it in season 2015/16 with 348 wins, and eclipsing it again each year since.

Article courtesy of Nine and The Sydney Morning Herald

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