Police are reminding firearms owners of their safe storage obligations following the seizure of 28 firearms, many suspected of being stolen, from a Central West property last week, NSW Police say.
Lachlan Local Area Command has been investigating numerous break and enters within the local area during which firearms were targeted, and last month formed Strike Force Barakee together with State Crime Command’s Firearms Squad.
Their investigations resulted in the execution of a search warrant at a property on Waugan Road, Eugowra, near Forbes, on Thursday morning (21 April 2016).
It will be alleged police located 28 unauthorised firearms, a prohibited firearm with a suppressor attached, a miniature cannon, three firearm parts, ammunition and clothing. All items were seized for forensic examination.
A 30-year-old man was arrested at a home on Andro Place, Werrington, later that day and taken to Penrith Police Station where he was charged with 35 firearm offences, including:
- Possess unauthorised firearm (25 counts);
- Possess unauthorised pistol;
- Possess unauthorised prohibited weapon;
- Possess more than three unregistered firearms, one is prohibited pistol;
- Possess three or more unregistered firearms without a licence or permit;
- Possess stolen firearm (three counts);
- Acquire firearm subject to firearms prohibition order;
- Acquire pistol subject to firearms prohibition order; and,
- Possess ammunition with holding licence permit or authority.
The man appeared at Penrith Local Court on Friday 22 April 2016 and remains bail refused to reappear on Monday 2 May 2016.
Investigations have already linked a number of the seized weapons to breaking offences within the Lachlan Local Area Command.
Police remain concerned that weapons stolen from breaking offences in rural areas may subsequently be sold to organised crime groups or outlaw motorcycle gangs.
It is believed that criminals are targeting premises where the owner is absent for considerable periods.
Police are now reminding firearms owners to ensure they store their firearms safely and to take measures to reduce the risk of theft. Tips include:
• Store your firearms at your primary place of residence.
• Keep firearms and ammunition stored separately in gun safes or other approved storage receptacles.
• Do not keep keys with or near gun safes.
• Ensure power tools or other items which could be used to access gun safes are kept securely away from gun safes.
• Do not tell people that you keep firearms at your residence or let people know when your property will be unattended.
Commander of the Firearms Squad, Detective Superintendent Mick Plotecki, said some of the guns that were seized in last week’s operation had never been registered.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to ask people who may still have unregistered firearms in their homes to make arrangements to surrender them to police,” he said.
“I would also like to remind people that the possession of unregistered firearms carries significant penalties.”
Investigations are continuing and police anticipate further arrests and charges.
