NSW Police Raptor Squad officers have arrested three men – including a former AFP officer – and seized a cache of firearms, ammunition and illicit drugs as part of an ongoing investigation in the State’s Illawarra region.
Strike Force Heard was established in January by State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad South to investigate the manufacture and supply of Privately Manufactured Firearms (PMFs) and illicit drugs within the region.
At around 12.30pm yesterday, strike force detectives – with assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit, Police Dog Squad, and Pol Air – arrested a 45-year-old man and former Australian Federal Police (AFP) officer in Shellharbour.
“On the man, police located two private manufactured machine guns, ammunition, balaclavas and cable ties,” NSW Police said in a statement.
During a search of the man’s property in Gerroa, Police located a further four loaded revolver firearms, three ballistic vests, a 3D Printer, an extensive amount of firearm parts including slides, barrels, triggers, magazines, paperwork, electronic devices, mobile phones, and thousands of rounds of various ammunition.
Various firearms manufacture stations were also identified in the premises.
The man was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station, where he was charged with 20 charges, including knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime, and 19 further charges relating to the supply, manufacture and possession of firearms and ammunition.
He was refused bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court today.
Strike force detectives also executed a search warrant in Farmborough Heights where they arrested a 16-year-old teenage boy.
The boy was taken to Illawarra Police Station, where he was charged with 16 offences including participate criminal group contribute criminal and other charges relating to the supply and manufacture of firearms.
He was refused bail to appear at a Children’s Court today.
Meanwhile, in Queensland, with assistance of Queensland Police Task Force Maxima, officers arrested a 43-year-old in Burleigh Beach.
He was taken to Southport Watch House, where Raptor Squad detectives will apply for his extradition to NSW later today.
Investigations under Strike Force Heard continue.
