Eleven knives were seized and a tomahawk during a proactive rural crime-related operation in the state's south.
Investigators attached to the Rural Crime Prevention Team (RCPT), established Operation Brushwood to target rural crime-related offences throughout Southern Region.
The three-day operation was conducted in the Murray River Police District between Friday 18 April 2025 and Monday 21 April 2025 involving officers attached to the Rural Crime Prevention Team with assistance from the Murray River Police District, patrolling National Parks and state forests, stock reserves and public roads.
The following results were achieved;
16 vehicle stops and 2 vehicle searches
11 hunting style knives and one Tomahawk/ throwing axe were seized
16 Firearm Safe Storage Inspection - 3 failed and 20 firearms and ammunition seized
2 people issued with Firearms Suspension Notices issued
33 infringements issued for traffic offences
18 hunting dogs inspected under the Animal Companion Act
1 Apiary Inspection
1 Travel Stock Statement Inspection
1 Macropod Harvester Inspection
3 licensed premises inspections
Notable incidents include;
About 11.30am on Sunday 20 April 2025, police stopped a utility with Victorian number plates on the Cobb Highway, approximately 5 kilometres north of Deniliquin. Police seized five knives from the vehicle, which weren't secured. Two hunting dogs were also searched and were compliant. The 35-year-old man was issued with an infringement notice for possess knife in a public place.
About 11.45pm on Friday 18 April 2025, police were patrolling Cobb Highway, Booligal, about 1km north of Merungle Road, when police pulled over a utility on the Cobb Highway with Victorian number plates. Police seized a throwing axe and four knives within the vehicle. Officers also checked four hunting dogs with the men, with one dog allegedly suffering four puncture wounds to its neck allegedly as a result of hunting several days earlier. The dog had not been taken to a vet for treatment. The 20-year old man was issued with an infringement for possess knife in a public place. The 17-year-old owner of the dog was issued with an infringement notice being in charge of an animal fail to provide vet treatment and a caution for animal cruelty and possess knife in a public place.
Operation Brushwood continues.
