Detectives have charged five people and seized 39 guns following investigations into the supply of illegal firearms allegedly obtained during break and enters across the state's Western Region.
In October last year, detectives attached to the State Crime Command's Drug and Firearms Squad, together with officers from Chifley Region Enforcement Squad (RES) and the NSW Crime Commission (NSWCC), established Strike Force Batch to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs and firearms across Western NSW.
During the investigation, police were notified of the theft of 15 firearms from a storage container on a property on Pitts Road, Hartley Vale, about 11km south-east of Lithgow, between Tuesday 29 December 2020 and Thursday 31 December 2020.
A week later, officers from Chifley Police District located an empty firearms storage safe near a dam in the Lidsdale State Forest and a search of the dam was conducted by Police Divers.
During the investigation, officers from Western Region Enforcement Squad, with assistance from Chifley Traffic and Highway Patrol and the Dog Unit, arrested a 41-year-old man in a vehicle stop on Sydney Road, Raglan, about 9pm on Wednesday 28 April 2021.
In a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers located and seized six firearms – including a loaded .22 Miroku lever action rifle.
The man was taken to Bathurst Police Station and charged with 11 offences including;
- licence expired less than 2 years before,
- not keep firearm safely (x2),
- possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority,
- possess unregistered firearm (prohibited firearm),
- possess loaded firearm public place,
- possess more than 3 unregistered firearms (1 is prohibited/pistol),
- use/supply stolen firearm or firearm part (x3), and
- possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority.
The Capertree man – now aged 42 – appeared at Bathurst Local Court the following day and is next due to reappear at the same court on Wednesday 8 September 2021.
The six firearms were ballistically examined and subsequently identified as guns stolen during the break and enter offence at Lithgow in December last year.
As part of ongoing inquiries, strike force detectives, with assistance from Western Region Operations Support Group (OSG), executed three search warrants at properties in Rockley, Cobar Park and Windradyne from 6am on Wednesday 19 May 2021.
During the search at Rockley, police seized 35 items, including three pistols, two rifles, methylamphetamine (ice), cannabis, ammunition, electronic devices, prescription medication and crossbow bolts.
Two men – aged 54 and 36 – and a 57-year-old woman were arrested during the operation.
A 54-year-old Rockley man was taken to Orange Police Station and charged with 17 offences including;
- supply firearm to person unauthorised to possess it (x4),
- unlawfully sell firearms 3 times or more within 12 months,
- knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime,
- participate criminal group contribute criminal activity,
- manufacture prohibited firearm without licence/permit,
- possess unauthorised pistol (x2),
- possess unauthorised firearm (x2),
- possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority,
- acquire firearm part without authority to do so,
- acquire ammunition for firearm without licence/permit, and
- possess prohibited drug (x2).
He appeared at Orange Local Court the same day and is next due to reappear at Bathurst Local Court on Wednesday 21 July 2021.
A 36-year-old Cobar Park man was taken to Lithgow Police Station and charged with 15 offences including;
- acquire firearm subject to prohibition order (x4),
- possess unregistered firearm (x2),
- supply firearm to person unauthorised to possess it (x6),
- unlawfully sell firearms 3 times or more within 12 months,
- knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime, and
- participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
He appeared at Lithgow Local Court the same day and is next due to reappear at the same court today (Thursday 15 July 2021).
A 57-year-old Cobar Park woman was also taken to Lithgow Police Station and charged with possess prohibited drug and supply prohibited drug. She appeared at Lithgow Local Court on Thursday 8 July 2021 and is next due to reappear at the same court on Thursday 19 August 2021.
Following further extensive investigations, Strike Force Batch detectives, with assistance from Western Region Enforcement Squad, arrested a 33-year-old man at a business at Mount Piper about 7.30am on Tuesday (14 July 2021).
Two search warrants were subsequently executed at homes at Lidsdale and Lithgow, where police seized two Toyota Landcruiser vehicles, two motorcycles, a high-performance motor vehicle engine, a stolen chainsaw and a pair of gold earrings valued at nearly $150,000.
The man – who a Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) associate – was taken to Lithgow Police Station, where he was charged with 10 offences including;
- use, supply stolen firearm or firearm part (x2),
- acquire firearm – subject to prohibition order,
- possess more than 3 unregistered firearms without licence/permit,
- acquire firearm part without authority to do so,
- acquire firearm – subject to prohibition order,
- deal with property proceeds of crime,
- cultivate prohibited plant,
- knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime, and
- participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
He appeared at Lithgow Local Court yesterday (Wednesday 14 July 2021), where he was formally refused bail to reappear at the same court today (Thursday 15 July 2021).
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott commended the efforts of Strike Force Batch investigators.
"I want to acknowledge the dedicated efforts of officers from the Drug and Firearms Squad who continue to undermine criminal networks across the state and have charged five people with a raft of offences," Mr Elliott said.
"It's pleasing to see these firearms removed from circulation in the state's central west. This follows the recent announcement of a permanent national firearms amnesty to allow community members to surrender for destruction unwanted or unregistered firearms and ammunition cost free.
"Together, police investigations supported by a permanent firearms amnesty sends a very clear message that, in NSW, community safety is paramount," Mr Elliott said.
Drug and Firearms Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent John Watson, praised detectives for conducting a protracted and thorough investigation into the activities of this alleged criminal syndicate.
"Since the inception of Strike Force Batch, detectives have now charged five people and seized 39 firearms, as well as more than $300,000 worth of property," Det Supt Watson said.
"It will be alleged that those now before the courts were involved in acquiring, supplying and storing prohibited firearms in rural communities across the state's Western Region.
"We do not want to see firearms falling into the wrong hands, so would remind those in the community who lawfully own guns to ensure they are stored correctly," Det Supt Watson said.
Investigations under Strike Force Batch are continuing.
Anyone with information about the supply of prohibited firearms is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
