Two men will face court today, charged following an investigation into the alleged illegal manufacture of firearms in the state's south.
In February this year, officers attached to Murrumbidgee Police District's Proactive Crime Team commenced an investigation into the alleged illegal manufacture of firearms in the region.
Following inquiries, police executed a firearms prohibition search at a home on Wallowa Street, Leeton, about 9am last Thursday (16 March 2023).
During the search, police located and seized firearms parts for automatic weapons, ammunition, firearms blueprints, as well as cannabis and cannabis plants.
A 56-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Leeton Police Station where he was charged with 12 offences:
- Acquire etc pistol part – subject to prohibition order,
- Acquire etc firearm part – subject to prohibition order,
- Acquire etc ammunition subject to prohibition order,
- Acquire firearm part without authority to do so (four counts),
- Acquire pistol part without authority to do so,
- Possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority,
- Possess a barrel for a firearm unless authorised by licence,
- Possess prohibited drug, and,
- Cultivate prohibited plant.
Following further inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a home on Macquarie Street, Wamoon, just before 9am yesterday (Tuesday 21 March 2023).
During the search, officers seized a .22 calibre rifle, an airsoft rifle, ammunition, a slingshot, cannabis and cannabis plants.
All items were seized to undergo further forensic examination.
A 64-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Leeton Police Station where he was charged with 11 offences:
- Not keep firearm safely-not pistol/prohibited firearm (two counts),
- Possess unauthorised firearm (two counts),
- Possess unregistered firearm – not pistol/prohibited firearm,
- Manufacture prohibited firearm without licence/permit – serious indictable offence,
- Possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority,
- Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit,
- Possess prohibited drug,
- Supply cannabis, and,
- Cultivate prohibited plant.
After the 56-year-old man was granted conditional bail, he was re-arrested in Leeton and was charged with one count each of manufacture prohibited firearm without licence/permit – serious indictable offence, and possess digital blueprint for manufacture of firearms.
Both men were refused bail to appear in Griffith Local Court today (Wednesday 22 March 2023).
