Two men have been charged with firearms offences following an investigation into alleged illegal hunting offences near Armidale.
On Sunday 22 March 2026, police were called to a property on Thunderbolts Way, Yarrowyck, about 20km west of Armidale.
At the scene, police were told three men had allegedly attended the private property for the purpose of hunting.
The property owner and others at the property confronted the men and removed the firearm from their possession.
Rural Crime Investigators from New England Police District attended, commenced inquiries into the incident and seized the firearm.
About 7.30am yesterday (Tuesday 19 May 2026), Rural Crime Investigators – with the assistance of the Northern Region Operations Support Group – executed a search warrant at a home in Coffs Harbour.
Two men – aged 40 and 69 – were arrested and taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station.
The younger man was charged with five offences,
- Fire firearm into building or onto inclosed lands
- Acquire etc prohibited firearm-subject prohibition order
- Use unauthorised prohibited firearm
- Use unregistered firearm-prohibited firearm, and
- Acquire etc ammunition subject to prohibition order.
The older man was charged with four offences,
- Fire firearm into building or onto inclosed lands
- Acquire etc prohibited firearm-subject prohibition order
- Use unauthorised prohibited firearm, and
- Use unregistered firearm-prohibited firearm.
Both men were refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 1 today (Wednesday 20 May 2026).
