The extensive search for suspect Dezi Freeman is projected to have cost taxpayers nearly $100 million, as the large-scale police mission stretches into its second month.
Numerous heavily armed officers continue to be stationed throughout Victoria’s highlands, assisted by special ops units, transforming the quiet area into a ‘war zone’ that residents say feels like a fortified town.
Freeman has remained unseen since August 26, following an alleged incident where he shot two officers who visited his Porepunkah residence with a warrant regarding previous claims of child sex abuse.
He then allegedly stole their weapons and vanished into the dense Mt Buffalo bush and has not been seen since.
Though Victoria Police avoids discussing the escalating expenses, Daily Mail understands the total is staggering, with helicopters, drones, canine units, international intelligence experts, and criminal analysts all contributing to the mounting costs.
‘You’re looking at between one and two million per day just for operational expenses, based on how many specialized resources are deployed and their locations,’ a source informed Daily Mail.
‘In a city equipped with infrastructure, CCTV, and straightforward access, deploying a similar level of police presence, such as for a royal visit, would incur costs around a million per day.
‘But here we’re talking about remote bushland with no facilities in place, they have installed an entire CCTV system just for this.
The manhunt for alleged fugitive gunman Dezi Freeman is estimated to have already cost taxpayers more than $100 million
Hundreds of heavily armed officers remain stationed across Victoria’s high country supported by special operations units
‘Plus there is overtime and huge extra costs to bring in officers, accommodation, transport and catering.
‘Then we have the special ops, the drones, choppers at around $4,000 an hour, water police, combat vehicles, intelligence, criminal profilers, the list goes on.’
In September 2024, it was reported that costs escalated to $30million to cover Victoria policing requirements for protests expected at the Land Forces weapons expo at the Melbourne Convention Centre.
‘That was a three-day event but this search is now past five weeks,’ said the source.
‘All these officers here for Freeman have positions elsewhere and those positions need backfilling while they are away.
‘And we are using international intelligence and New Zealand forces too.’
A sprawling command centre has also been built in the nearby town of Ovens, complete with floodlights, manned gates and a 24-hour intelligence hub.
Luxury coaches with blacked-out windows have been seen regularly ferrying officers in and out of the fortified base.
There have been no sightings of Freeman since he fled into the bush on August 26
Police choppers have been in regular use during the search
Luxury coaches with blacked out windows have been ferrying teams around
‘From what we can see publicly and what’s safe to assume, $70million would be a conservative estimate as of now,’ the source added.
‘But it’s far more likely that behind the scenes the costs could have hit $100million and they are still climbing.’
A $1million reward has also been offered with the possibility of indemnity for information leading to his capture with police maintaining they are not prepared to quit.
‘We will not give up until we find that person,’ Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush told reporters on Monday.
‘This has really damaged our police service and the community, and we are determined to bring this matter to a conclusion.’
The unprecedented search is now sparking anger in the very community it was meant to protect.
And despite the Victorian government promising another $2.5million support package for businesses in the Porepunkah area, locals complain it’s not enough for ‘living in a war zone,’ that’s driving tourists away.
There have even been reports of local business owners openly shunning police.
Police have used special forces to scour waterways
A mobile policing unit has been in position for more than a month
‘This is costing a fortune and for what? Weeks and weeks of helicopters and roadblocks and still no arrest,’ one business owner told Daily Mail.
‘It feels like money is being thrown away every single day while the rest of us foot the bill.’
Patience is wearing thin, with townsfolk warning that relations with police are close to breaking point.
‘This has gone on long enough. We’re sick of seeing police everywhere while nothing happens,’ one resident fumed.
‘We can’t move around freely, and nobody is telling us when this will end.’
While the manhunt was scaled back last week, on Thursday an additional 100 officers from the Public Order Response Team were deployed to Mount Buffalo National Park.
Further sweeps of the area were again conducted with the park off limits to the general public.
