Three men have been charged as part of an investigation into the supply of firearms in the Illawarra, NSW Police say.
Based on information received, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Firearms Squad and Lake Illawarra Local Area Command established Strike Force Yarmuk to investigate the supply of firearms.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives arrested three people – a 21-year-old man, a 19-year-old man and a woman – during a vehicle stop on Crown Street, Wollongong, about 2.15pm yesterday.
Officers allegedly located a loaded sawn-off .22 calibre rifle down the front of the 21-year-old man’s pants, and a knife in the possession of the 19-year-old man.
The trio were taken to Wollongong Police Station.
Shortly after, when strike force detectives arrived at a home unit on Gipps Street, Wollongong, to execute a search warrant, they observed a man allegedly attempting to break-in.
The 28-year-old man was arrested and also taken to Wollongong Police Station.
During the search warrant, police located a 303 rifle, a 223 Remington rifle with scope, and ammunition. The items were seized for forensic examination.
The 21-year-old man was subsequently charged with possess shortened firearm, not pistol without authority, two counts of possess stolen firearm, two counts of possess ammunition without authority, and two counts of use carriage service to threaten to kill.
He was refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court today.
The 19-year-old man was charged with custody of a knife in a public place.
The 28-year-old man was charged with enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence, and larceny.
Both men were granted bail and are due to appear at Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday 11 October 2016.
The woman was later released pending further inquiries.
Investigations under Strike Force Yarmuk are continuing.
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers.
