Police uncover more deadly weapons at Adelaide Hills property, court hears
More weapons have been uncovered at an Adelaide Hills property where a large cache was already found — leading police to believe the owner may have been manufacturing and trafficking guns, a court has heard.
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Police have uncovered an extra 40 guns, ammunition and explosive devices at an Adelaide Hills farming property where an extensive cache of weapons had already been found — and now suspect the owner may be manufacturing and trafficking weapons, a court has heard.
The 58-year-old, whose identity is suppressed, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday seeking release on home detention bail to live at the property.
Sergeant Trent Matijevic, prosecuting, said police found “approximately 40 more” concealed weapons and also had concerns about five industrial machines on the property, including lathes and drilling machines, “suspected of being used in the manufacture of firearms”.
“There could be a network of firearms distribution linked to (the accused) in relation to this matter which could take investigators throughout SA and possibly interstate,” Sgt Matijevic said.
“It relates to suspicions (the accused) is also trafficking in firearms and those inquiries will be ongoing and extensive.”
He said police were investigating those concerns and feared the accused could “hamper or impede” their inquiries if released.
“We are concerned that if (the accused) is released on bail he may be able to interfere with those ongoing investigations,” Sgt Matijevic said.
Police have previously said an initial three-day raid of the man’s property uncovered 164 illegal firearms — from bolt action rifles, high powered rifles and an aged machine gun — as well as hundreds of kilos of ammunition, explosives and a silencer.
Police also seized throwing knives, daggers, bayonets and a crossbow.
The court has previously heard the allegations against the man came to light when a woman approached police reporting the man had subjected her to sexual and emotional violence.
He is yet to plead to multiple offences including possession of unregistered firearms.
Craig Caldicott, for the accused, told the court his client’s “working farm property” where the weapons were allegedly uncovered had animals requiring care.
He said if his client spent any lengthy period in custody he would lose his farm.
“He needs to be released to attend to his farm, his farm animals. He’s got a mortgage of $345,000 which he has to meet,” Mr Caldicott said.
He said his client had an engineering and agricultural background.
“They are saying my client is manufacturing — there is no evidence of that, there is no charge of manufacture,” he said.
Magistrate John Fahey said he had concerns about the discovery of the extra firearms and the police allegations the accused was manufacturing and trafficking weapons.
But he said police would need to provide some evidence of their new claims.
“I’m not prepared to give him home detention bail on the farm,” he said.
“I’m not going to give him bail today and I’m not refusing bail. I’m going to give police a week to come up with something more solid than what they are putting to me now.”
Mr Caldicott asked the court instead consider releasing his client on home detention bail to live with his sister.
The case returns to court next week.