PLEASE NOTE: Images of firearms and items seized can be found via Hightail https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/E9p4hBUWTE
Two people have been charged with more than 130 firearm and drug offences as part of an ongoing investigation in the state's south under Strike Force Nettin.
In August 2024, Strike Force Nettin was established by officers attached to Murray River Police District to investigate the manufacture and supply of firearms and prohibited drugs across the Murray River region and border towns.
About 7.45am on Thursday 9 January 2025, strike force officers – with assistance from Victoria Police – executed a search warrant in King Street, Rutherglen, Victoria.
During the search, an allegedly stolen rifle, a privately manufactured firearm, ammunition, firearm parts, tools, and equipment used to manufacture firearms were seized.
At a separate location within the Murray River Police District, officers executed a warrant and located 5 privately manufactured firearms and parts. They also seized 6 firearms, a vehicle, two jetskis and property, which police will allege were stolen.
A 36-year-old female and 44-year-old male were arrested at the scene.
Both were taken to Wodonga Police, before being extradited to New South Wales, where they were taken to Albury Police Station.
The woman was charged with 102 offences relating to the ongoing supply of prohibited drugs and supply of commercial quantities of drugs, mainly methylamphetamine in New South Wales and Victoria.
The man was charged with 31 firearm, break and enter and drug supply offences including;
- Supply pistol to person unauthorised to possess it
- Give pistol to person not authorised by licence/permit
- Manufacture prohibited firearm without licence/permit
- Possess unauthorised pistol (5 counts)
- Use, supply, acquire or possess defaced firearm
- Use, supply, acquire, possess stolen firearm or part ( three counts)
- Possess unregistered firearm-not pistol/proh firearm (two counts)
- Possess >3 unregistered firearms, 1 is prohibited/pistol
- Possess ammunition w/o holding licence/permit/authority
- Knowingly deal with proceeds of crime
- Receive etc property stolen outside NSW
- Police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously
They both faced Albury Local Court on Friday 10 January 2025, where they were both formally refused bail to reappear at the same court on Tuesday 4 March 2025.
Investigations under Strike Force Nettin continue, with more arrests expected.
