newy.com.au – A 42 year old man faces drug and prohibited weapons charges following a Kurri Kurri search during a statewide operation in which police say they seized 230 firearms.
Police said officers executing a search warrant about 6.30am on Thursday 22 October found 188 grams of cannabis, six cannabis seedlings, a slingshot and a privately made crossbow.
Officers also reported finding a replica firearm, firearm parts, crossbow darts, an ammunition loading device, chemical powders used to make gunpowder and electronic devices.
The man was arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station. He was charged with possessing a prohibited drug, two counts of possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit, and cultivating a prohibited plant.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Kurri Kurri Local Court on Tuesday 10 November.
NSW Police reported 39 arrests and 111 charges across the state during the week of action. Police also made footage of NSW arrests available for editorial use.
Alongside the 230 firearms, the statewide seizures included more than 1000 rounds of ammunition, 33 firearm parts, seven imitation firearms and 79 other prohibited weapons, according to police.
Officers executed 12 warrants and issued 21 firearm prohibition orders. They also conducted 163 checks on compliance with firearm prohibition orders and 819 safe storage inspections.
State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad led the NSW operation, supported by local and specialist officers and the Australian Border Force (ABF).
The broader week of action was coordinated by the National Illicit Firearms Working Group, involving police from across Australia, federal agencies and New Zealand Police.
Drug and Firearms Squad commander Detective Superintendent John Watson said cooperation between specialist investigators and local officers had helped remove weapons from the community.
“Every illegal firearm seized is one less weapon that can be used to threaten, intimidate or seriously harm members of our community,” he said.
ABF Investigations NSW Superintendent Shaun Baker said criminals were seeking to import parts that could be assembled into functioning firearms.
“The growing use of privately manufactured firearms and 3D-printed weapons presents a significant challenge for law enforcement, but it is one we are actively addressing alongside our state and federal partners,” he said.
Anyone with information about organised criminal activity is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the NSW Crime Stoppers website. Police said information is handled confidentially and should not be reported through NSW Police social media pages.
