Registered and unregistered firearms have been seized as part of a two-day operation targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs in the Mudgee area.
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Police from Mudgee Local Area Command and the Gangs Squad’s Strike Force Raptor conducted a high-visibility operation targeting outlaw motorcycle gang members and their associates on Wednesday, April 19 and Thursday, April 20.
During a search at a property on Pyramul Road, Windeyer, police located a self-loading .22 calibre rifle, magazines, ammunition, knuckle dusters, a firework, and cannabis.
A 60-year-old man was arrested and taken to Mudgee Police Station, where he was charged with acquire/possess prohibited firearms subject to firearm prohibition orders (FPO), possess unregistered firearm, not keep firearm safely, acquire ammunition subject to FPO, possess ammunition without holding authority, possess prohibited weapons without permit, handle explosive/precursor without authorising licence, and possess prohibited drug.
He was refused bail to appear at Mudgee Local Court on Friday, April 21.
As part of the operation, officers also served Firearm Prohibition Orders (FPOs) on five men – aged 30, 49, 58, and two aged 27 – at properties on Gladstone Street, Winter Street, White Circle in Mudgee, and Queen Street, Gulgong.
During the search of the homes and vehicles, police located a replica flint lock rifle, unsecured ammunition, assorted fireworks, cannabis, and motorcycle gang colours.
Inquiries are continuing and police expect to lay charges pending the outcome of forensic analysis of seized items.
Police also conducted a safe storage inspection at a home at Melaleuca Drive, Wellington, where it was established one of the registered firearms was not in the safe.
Shortly after, police located the firearm and ammunition on the floor at a home on Preston Street, Wellington.
Officers seized the three registered rifles, ammunition, and the 64-year-old man’s firearms licence.
Also during the operation, police issued eight consorting warnings, six traffic infringement notices, and one defect notice. Three people also returned positive readings during random roadside drug tests.
Mudgee Local Area Commander, Superintendent Tony Joice, said the operation forms part of an ongoing strategy to reduce the impact of OMCG activities in the Mudgee area.
“With the assistance of Strike Force Raptor, we will continue to run these high-impact operations not only to target members and associates of outlaw motorcycle gangs, but also to disrupt their activities,” Supt Joice said.
“In particular, we are focused on the illegal or unlawful possession of firearms, which may be used to commit violent crimes.
“We will not tolerate public acts of violence – or any activity – that creates fear and puts the safety of our community at risk,” Supt Joice said.
Strike Force Raptor was established by State Crime Command’s Gangs Squad in 2009. It is a proactive and high-impact operation targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs and any associated criminal enterprises.
Anyone with information to assist police is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report it directly to detectives via the Strike Force Raptor online reporting page https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/Default.aspx?id=49.
Kirsty Horton
A journalist with 15 years of experience, Kirsty Horton has been the editor of the Lithgow Mercury newspaper and a journalist for mastheads including the Great Lakes Advocate, Nambucca Guardian News and Moree Champion. She is now a member of ACM's features and special publications team.
A journalist with 15 years of experience, Kirsty Horton has been the editor of the Lithgow Mercury newspaper and a journalist for mastheads including the Great Lakes Advocate, Nambucca Guardian News and Moree Champion. She is now a member of ACM's features and special publications team.
